by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — Social Scene and driver George Brennan raced to a 1:52.2 track record performance in their division of the $155,000 New York Sire States for 3-year-old pacing fillies at Monticello Raceway on Wednesday afternoon (Sept. 11).

In doing so their time erased the former mark of 1:52.3 set last year by Romantic Moment and Yannick Gingras.

It was a perfect day for making speed with high humidity, bright sunshine and the temperature in the mid-90s. Racing fans were offered a solid 13-race card with three divisions in the NYSS and four $12,700 splits in the Excelsior Series, all for sophomore pacing fillies. And My Shiyen’s 1:56.1 triumph for Jimmy Morrill, Jr. in an Excelsior split was the ‘slowest’ of the seven events. Incredibly, four of the filly races went in 1:54.4 or faster.

Geri Schwarz photo

Social Scene scored in a track record time of 1:52.2.

But in spite of all the speedy miles registered, the day belonged to the Casie Coleman-trained Social Scene when she paced through fractions of :28.3, :56.3, 1:24 and 1:52.2.

After Jason Bartlett and JK Black Beauty grabbed the early lead Brennan made a quarter pole move to the front and once Social Scene was on top Brennan let her ramble. She had three lengths at the half, seven lengths at the three-quarters and finished five lengths in front of runner-up Springforth, driven by Bruce Aldrich, Jr. JK Black Beauty held on for third money.

Brennan was asked in the winner’s circle why he opened up so much daylight on the field.

“She’s been having throat problems and I kept her rolling and didn’t want to shut her off,” he said. “She’s a real nice filly and she went a big trip here today.”

The daughter of American Ideal-On The Catwalk scored her sixth victory in 11 season’s starts and raised her 2013 bankroll to $166,378 for owners West Wins Stable, Steve Calhoun and Mac Nichol. She paid $4.10 for win.

The day got underway with the series’ top campaigner Summertime Lea and driver Jimmy Morrill, Jr. cruising to a very easy 1:54.1 triumph in the first NYSS division.

Sent off at odds of 1-9, Morrill sent Summertime Lea to the lead and they were never in doubt as the Lislea-Donna Summer filly easily paced through fractions of :28.1, :57.2 and 1:26.2 and finished 1-1/2 lengths ahead of Free Time with George Brennan aboard. Brussels Hanover finished third for Bruce Aldrich, Jr.

“It worked out good for us today because she had an easy trip going into the final,” Morrill said of Summertime Lea, whom he figures will be at the top of her game in her $225,000 NYSS finale at Yonkers Raceway on Sept. 28. “She wanted to go more but I tried not to let her.”

Brennan, who began his illustrious career at the Mighty M, also won another NYSS split when he guided Cheyenne Miriam to a 1:54.3 victory.

In that wide open event, four fillies were sent off at odds of 3-1 or less with Cheyenne Miriam sent away co-favored at 2-1. She left from the four hole and Brennan settled her in along the pylons in third position and reveled in the fast early speed set by Pat Lachance and Sir Lehigh Z Tam.

It wasn’t until the field headed up the backside that Brennan decided to make a move and when he did Cheyenne Miriam zipped to the front and coasted home an easy two length winner over the Jason Bartlett-driven Bettor Think Twice. Third place went to Park N Orchard with Marcus Miller in the pilot’s seat.

“The speed cleared. They came back to me and we just jogged,” Brennan said about his easy journey with Cheyenne Miriam. “She’s a good one.”

It was the filly’s 10th win in 19 starts and the victory raised her seasonal earnings to $219,545. The Cheyenne Gang, LLC are the lessees of the daughter of Bettor’s Delight-Alibacca. She paid $6.50 for win.

It took speed to win the four Excelsior Series races as well. Morrill won two, both trained by Jean Drolet. His first triumph for Drolet was with Trevor’s BeBe ($2.10), a $4,000 yearling purchase at the Morrisville Sale, in 1:54.4.

Co-owner Bill Siegel, on hand for the winner’s circle presentation, was asked why his filly wasn’t racing in the Sire Stakes instead of the Excelsior Series, to which he replied, “We didn’t pay much for her and didn’t realize that she is as good as she is. She’s really come on of late.”

Morrill also scored with My Shiyen in 1:56.1 for Drolet and also won an overnight race, making it four wins on the card for the talented reinsman.

Other Excelsior Series winners included Know It All ($8.10) in 1:55.1 for John Stark, Jr. and Aria J ($7.00) in 1:55.2 for Mark MacDonald.