by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — Four $30,000 New York Sire States Late Closer Finals for 2- and 3-year-old pacers and trotters were featured on Monday (Oct. 17) at Monticello Raceway and though the majority of the participating colts and fillies were of fine caliber, the day belonged to Union Man Hanover, who was far and away the cream of the crop.

With Greg Merton once again at the controls the freshman Artiscape-Up Front Rose colt breezed to an easy five length triumph in a time of 1:57.2.

Geri Schwarz photo

Union Man Hanover and Greg Merton breezed to an easy 1:57.2 win.

Merton sent the colt immediately to the front and they grabbed the racetrack before they hit the first turn. From there Merton and Union Man Hanover toyed with the field through early fractions of :28.3 and :59.1.

Up the backside Stephane Bouchard and Connery Blue Chip made a run at the leader and Merton sat chilly and allowed Bouchard and his pacer to get alongside Union Man Hanover as they headed into the final turn and just when it appeared that it was going to be a horse race to the finish Merton chirped to his colt and Union Man Hanover sped away to a three length triumph, his fifth consecutive win and sixth of the season. Winbak Shake was second best for John Stark, Jr. while Connery Blue Chip faded and finished third.

“This is a very nice colt,” Merton offered in the winner’s circle. “He can leave, he can follow and when you ask him he hits another gear. He has such quick speed. I drove him four times now and we won every time.”

Tim Gordon, the executive director of the NYS Horse Breeding and Development Fund, which directs the fortunes of the NYSS, made the presentation to members of the Stake Your Claim Stable and co-owner Dan Baer who were on hand as was trainer Linda Toscano. They were a happy group after their colt’s victory, which boosted his bankroll to more than $100,000.

“This is my first horse and I believe I may be a little spoiled now. I’m lucky and I know it. I bought a piece of another horse recently and I haven’t yet told my wife about it,” Dan Baer told Tim Gordon in the winner’s circle.

Owned by the Stake Your Claim Stable, Bay’s Stable LLC and Dan Baer, Union Man Hanover paid $2.40 for win.

Union Man Hanover’s 1:57.2 clocking was far and away the fastest of the four NYSS late closers, two of which were won by Jimmy Morrill, Jr.

Morrill won the 2-year-old filly pace late closer final with Miracle Lynn in a time of 1:59.4. After a speed duel between Canamerica and Blows Me Away ensued where the former led the field past the half in :57.2, Morrill just bided his time racing along in third position and moved in the deep stretch to pick up all the marbles. Canamerica held on for second.

The winner, a daughter of Artiscape-Howaboutamiracle, is owned by Rebecca Williams and trained by Kevin Johnson. She paid $5.80 for win.

Morrill also won the 2-year-old colt trot final with New York Attitude in a 2:01.3 clocking. After Gaelic And Garlic and Jeff Gregory cut the fractions, Morrill moved the Cash Hall-Four Starz Nanny gelding just before the final turn and wore down the pacesetter to emerge victorious, just a head over Gaelic And Garlic.

New York Attitude is owned by Michelle Hallet and Michelle Oglesby and trained by John Hallett. He paid $9.60 for win.

A fourth NYSS Late Closer Final saw John Stark, Jr. and Lady Crown lull the field to sleep with slow early fractions, only to pour on a :30 final stanza en route to a 1-3/4 length victory in 2:03.1 over 29-1 shot Honeymoonisover and driver Jason Bartlett.

The daughter of Cash Hall-Sharon Crown, owned by the Pine Hill Stables, returned a $31.40 win mutuel.