Morrill shuffles to Buffalo

Jim Morrill Jr. has told the Buffalo News that rumors of his return to the Meadowlands after dominating the driving ranks at Batavia Downs are unfounded, and that he plans to stay in New York and also compete at Buffalo Raceway.



After making the move last year to Batavia, Morrill won 128 times in 307 races--a win average of 41.7 percent--and more than $434,000 in purse earnings. Morrill told the newspaper that he and his wife, Molly, and their three children will remain on the 22-acre farm they now live on.



"I'll go over (to Buffalo Raceway) when they get ready to start and start watching qualifiers. I want to get a feel for what horses are ready and what aren't. And I plan on being there when the season starts," Morrill said.



Morrill won eight races on the Oct. 1 and seven times on Sept. 24 and Oct. 7. He also won six times in one night six times. According to the newspaper, a $2 win bet on each of Morrill's starters would have returned a profit of $96.90.



"It's like (NASCAR champion) Jeff Gordon suddenly showing up at Lancaster Speedway," Joe Sarago, a longtime area harness and Thoroughbred trainer told the newspaper.

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