Fashion Blizzard set Monticello mark in NYSS

Yet another track record fell by the wayside at Monticello Raceway this season when the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) came into town. The latest came in a division of the $146,000 NYSS for 2 year-old trotting colts and geldings when Jimmy Morrill Jr. guided Fashion Blizzard to a 1:58.2 triumph on Wednesday. That clocking erased the one set by RC Royalty and driver Dan Daley on Aug. 29, 2005.

 

Other NYSS winners Wednesday afternoon included Tirade Hanover in 2:01 and Wannacmyguns in 2:01.1.

 

Although six Excelsior Series freshman colt trots made a good supporting undercard, the day, however, belonged to the Jim Campbell-trained Fashion Blizzard.

 

When the gate sprung Morrill was determined to send Fashion Blizzard to the lead and he unhurriedly gained command before the quarter mile as the timer flashed :29.2. And for all intents and purposes the race was over at the point.

 

The son of Credit Winner-Fun And Strokes cruised on the lead by the half tin :58.4, three lengths ahead of Theraputic and driver Jeff Gregory with the rest of the field single file. At the third stanza in 1:28 the lead opened to four lengths and approaching the wire Morrill had a good hold on Fashion Blizzard who still had four lengths over Theraputic. Ex King was third for Dan Daley.

 

In the winner's circle Morrill was joined by the colt's caretaker and Morrill turned to him and uttered, "He went so easy I didn't even have to pull the (ear)plugs.”

 

After they traded some inaudible comments Morrill could finally be heard uncharacteristically saying to the caretaker: "He's got plenty of go!”

 

Sent off at odds of 1-4 Fashion Blizzard paid just $2.50 for win. He is owned by Fashion Farms LLC.

 

Another good looking colt, Tirade Hanover driven by Brian Sears, won his contest but he didn't seem like himself. After convincing wins in his last two outings the son of Crazed-Teagarden Hanover struggled to hold on to a 2:01 triumph in his $48,789 NYSS division.

 

Maybe trotting for the lead at the quarter in :29 from post position eight took a toll but once on the front end the colt appeared comfortable.

 

He showed the way by a solid length throughout at each stanza but in the lane Sears had to get after him and the colt showed real grit by holding on for a neck victory over Blackwolf Run and Sam Schillaci, who enjoyed a two hole trip. Ruckus and driver Morrill, also with a covered trip, finished third.

 

Despite having to start from the eight hole Tirade Hanover's card was so impressive that he was sent of at odds just over 1-2 and paid $3.10 for win.

 

The colt, who now has six wins in nine starts, is trained by Tyler Raymer for owners Leigh Nichol, Stephen Moss and Harold and Helene Solomon.

 

In the other $48,789 NYSS split, 1-9 shot Explosive Action (Morrill) went offstride at the start it was bombs away.

 

In that contest Wannacmyguns and driver John Stark Jr, were sent off at odds of 16-1 and enjoyed a two-hole trip behind 50-1 shot Sand time and Jimmy Marohn Jr. to rally in the lane to score a 1 ½-length victory over 75-1 shot Stirling Bullet who was handled by Chris Lems. Crazy About Pat, who was 14-1 on the board, finished third for James Rattray. Sand Time faded and finished fourth but was part of the large trifecta payoff.

 

Wannacmyguns, a Conway Hall -Distaff colt, owned by Edmund Smith, James Giannuzzo, David Smith and the Crawford Farms, paid $34.80, $10.60, and $14 across the board. Second-place finisher Stirling Bullet returned $56.50 for place and $61 for show. Crazy About Pat, the third-place finisher, paid $26 for show. The exacta payoff was $1,065, the trifecta returned $8,524 and the superfecta was worth a whopping $19,676.

 

The winners of the six Excelsior Series trots were, Imwideawake (Jimmy Devaux-2:01); Rapid Ascent (Dan Daley-2:03.1);Golden Tate (Jay Randall-2:01.4);Eve Ning Out(Phil Fluet-2:04.1); Dreadnaut Hanover(Brian Sears-2:03.1) and Ashes Kash, the NYSS County Fair Champion driven by Harold Smith in 2:01.4 for his 10th victory in 11 starts. (Monticello)