by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — On Thursday afternoon, August 23, six divisions of New York Sires Stakes sophomore colt pacers competed for nearly $300,000 at Monticello Raceway, and when the events were over Share The Delight had come away with a track record victory in a time of 1:55.3 and his nemesis, Riggins, won his split in 1:56.2. Of the six divisions, the slowest time turned in by the freshman pacers was 1:58.

Though there was a majority of classy youngsters competing, the day really belonged to Share The Delight. The son of Bettor’s Delight rambled to an easy track record victory and according to his driver, Jimmy Morrill, Jr., he could have gone more.

Share The Delight (Jimmy Morrill, Jr.) was an easy winner in 1:55.3, a new track record for 2-year-old pacers.

“This colt (Share The Delight) handles like a Cadillac,” Morrill related after his victory. “He’s so handy and he’s got a big motor. I’m sure he could have gone in 1:54 if he had to.”

Also impressive was the fact that the colt’s outstanding trainer Linda Toscano made an appearance in the winner’s circle and the first thing she did when she got there was remove the burr headpole which seemed to make the colt much more comfortable. Share The Delight stood while a crowd, including part-owner Lorne Polger and his family, along with a few friends, joined in the ceremony.

After he left the winner’s circle Polger was quick to add, “This is Share The Delight’s third consecutive track record. He set one at Saratoga (Raceway) — later lowered by Riggins; one at Tioga (Downs); and now here at Monticello and we are still undefeated (in four lifetime starts).

Owned by the Four Horsemen Stable and Algonquin Farms, among Polger’s partners is his longtime friend and CBS Legal Analyst Andrew Cohen, who was watching the race from his home in Centennial, Colorado.

Share The Delight’s 1:55.3 clocking erased the former mark of 1:56 owned by B Electric. He defeated Cry For Cash, driven by Jimmy Devaux. Sailing Cruise, who went a big trip after making a wild break at the start, finished third for Jimmy Taggart, Jr.

Riggins, an Art Major colt trained and driven by Ray Schnittker, is vying with Share The Delight for top freshman honors in New York State. Although the colts have gone head-to-head only once — Share The Delight ended up a nose winner — both are on a collision course for the $150,000 NYSS Final at Yonkers Raceway on September 15.

Racehorsephoto.com photos

Riggins was one of two NYSS victories for driver Ray Schnittker.

Riggins was also an effortless winner after Schnittker eased the big Art Major colt slowly away from the gate and moved down along the pylons in fifth position. But when the field settled Schnittker moved his charge to the lead and for all intents and purposes the race was over. Riggins finished two lengths ahead of 15-1 Lislea Miles (Jimmy Morrill, Jr.) in a 1:56.2 clocking.

Riggins, owned by the Buffalo Boys Stable, Howard Taylor, Frank Baldassare and Dave Pepin, is also an outstanding colt and according to Schnittker, Riggins “had lots of gas left in the tank” at the finish.

Crevani Farms’ Bullville Powerful, a Bettor’s Delight colt in rein to Stephane Bouchard, copped his $49,000 division in 1:57 with a three length victory over Silver Delivery, driven by Greg Merton.

Hands To Yourself, a Sealed N Delivered gelding owned by James Moran, Bob McCarthy, Neal Chilson and Pat De Pasquale, won like the 1-2 shot he was when he romped home three lengths ahead of second place finisher Jove’s Success (Greg Merton) in a 1:57.1 clocking in yet another NYSS split.

Another Sealed N Delivered colt, Alpine Jubilee, lit up the tote board — he paid $76.50 — when Brian Allen guided him to a 1:57.4 upset victory over Dreamy Endeavor (Stephane Bouchard) after the 3-2 favorite Pembroke Dandy (Bill Bailey) broke at the start. The winner is owned by Alpine Meadow Racing.

A final $49,000 division was won by Jagger Blue Chip, which gave Ray Schnittker a driving double in Sires Stake action that day. The son of Bettor’s Delight, owned by Schnittker, Arnold, Pepin and the Blue Crue Stable, turned in a gritty performance to score a 1:58 victory over Grab Your Keys and driver Greg Grismore.