by Ken Weingartner, Harness Racing Communications

Goshen, NY — Sir Melo’s Z Tam looks to have found a home in the Excelsior Series.

The 3-year-old colt pacer earned his third victory in four Excelsior starts this season by winning his $12,600 division by a quarter-length over Ideal Griff in 1:54.3 on Saturday afternoon (June 30) at Historic Track.

Driven, trained and co-owned by Patrick Lachance, Sir Melo’s Z Tam has won four of 15 career races and earned $82,196.

“I was shooting for a (New York) sire stakes horse, not an Excelsior horse, but it’s a great backup plan that the New York program has,” said Lachance, who owns the colt with Ira Rosenblum and M&M Harness Racing. “You can still make some money at it. It’s not a sire stakes, but I won. He fits well in (the Excelsior Series).”

Stephane Bouchard drove Blows Me Away to a two length win in 1:58 in a division of the Excelsior Series for 3-year-old filly pacers.

Saturday was the second afternoon of the Grand Circuit meet at Historic Track. Racing continues through Monday, with 1 p.m. post times, in addition to Hall of Fame induction ceremonies Sunday evening.

Sunday’s card includes the Hall of Fame drivers’ race, which features John Campbell, Jim Doherty, Herve Filion, Wally Hennessey, Mike Lachance, Cat Manzi, Dave Palone, Ron Pierce and Jimmy Takter.

Sir Melo’s Z Tam posted Saturday’s fastest winning time. He was fourth through the first half of the race before getting a second over trip behind Ideal Griff before getting to the lead in the stretch.

“They got down pretty good to the quarter, so I just took him up,” Lachance said. “I ended up having a perfect trip and he fired in the lane. He likes to close. He’s a good closer. He tries hard, you know.”

Stephane Bouchard, who lives in Goshen, drove three winners in the Excelsior Series — 3-year-old filly pacers Blows Me Away and Joya Fra — along with 3-year-old gelding pacer Sissboombah.

USTA/Ken Weingartner photos

Artillery Major, with Jason Bartlett in the sulky, is on his way to a 3-1/2 length win in 1:58 in a division of the Excelsior Series for 3-year-old male pacers.

Jason Bartlett, another local resident, picked up two victories. He guided 3-year-old colt pacers Artillery Major and Raymond J to triumphs.

Other Excelsior winners were 3-year-old colt pacer Legal Dream and 3-year-old filly pacer Bijou Theater.

Saturday’s card also included Catskill Amateur Drivers and Billings Amateur races.

Shane Darish, competing in the Catskill series, made his first career drive a winning one as he piloted Jumpin Jack Flash to a three-quarter-length victory in 2:01.1. Darish lives in Brentwood, N.Y.

Also getting wins on the Catskill circuit were Samuel Sbarra with Fox Valley Sosa, and David Yarock with Shania Twain.

Billings winners were Robert Krivelin with Motown Dreamgirl, Steve Oldford with Howmacs Amigo, and Brad Rathbone with Roman Holiday.