by Mike Sardella, for Saratoga
Saratoga Springs, NY — The track record for 2-year-old trotting colts fell on Tuesday night (Aug. 2) at Saratoga Casino Hotel as freshman trotters invaded the Spa for a card full of New York Sire Stakes competition.
The 12-race program consisted of no less than 12 Sire Stakes races for freshman high-steppers. There were nine Excelsior A and B events and three “big time” Sire Stakes going for purses of $53,500 and $54,500.
Big Man Ev (Chapter Seven-Possessed By Lindy) broke the track record for 2-year-old trotting colts in his division as he went coast-to-coast in 1:57.4 with Andy Miller in the sulky. It was the second win in four career tries for the Julie Miller trainee.
Melissa Simser-Iovino photo
Such An Angel matched the track record of 1:57.4.
At the point of his win, Big Man Ev was the fastest freshman trotting colt in the 75-year history of Saratoga. He was quickly matched when the Paul Kelley-trained Such An Angel (Credit Winner-Michelle’s Angel) stopped the timer in 1:57.4 with Hall of Famer John Campbell in the bike.
Big Man Ev and Such An Angel now hold a share of the record as the third division of the Sire Stakes was won impressively by Walner (Chapter Seven-Random Destiny), but only after he made an early break and spotted the field close to 20 lengths. Linda Toscano trains the colt who is now two-for-two in Sire Stakes action after circling the abbreviated five horse field to win in 1:58.1 at odds of 1-9. Tim Tetrick sat behind Walner as he cruised past his rivals in the final quarter to prevail in impressive fashion. One can only imagine how much Walner may have shattered the record for freshman trotters if not for the early miscue.
Live racing continues on Wednesday night at Saratoga with a 7:05 p.m. first post.