NYSS hat trick for Morrill

Jim Morrill Jr. scored a driving triple in the New York Sire Stakes for 3-year-old pacing colts Saturday night at Buffalo Raceway. Five divisions carried total purses of $129,225.

Morrill was on board Lucky Bettor when the Bettor’s Delight gelding scored a lifetime mark and the fastest division of the evening in 1:55.1 as the 6-5 betting favorite. The pair took control of the field the first time across the backstretch and scored by two lengths over Vicar Hall. Owned by Laurie Molnar, Lucky Bettor did not start as a 2 year old and now has four wins in 16 starts this year for $27,497 in earnings.

Big Al’s Delight, who earned more than $100,000 as a freshman, kicked home in :28.2 with Morrill up to win by 1 ½ lengths over Causeway Giant in 1:56.1. The Bettor’s Delight colt is trained by Mickey Burke for Sylvia Burke, Thomas Cherichello and Lawrence Karr.

“He’s a likeable horse and easy to drive,” said Morrill in the winner’s circle. “He gives 110 percent, that’s what is so great about him.”

The driver also scored a 1:56.3 victory with Peter Pan Stables’ homebred Panedict Arnold and boosted the colt’s career earnings over the $100,000 mark. The son of Noble Ability suffered from “seconditis” in the Sire Stakes last year, winning once on the circuit for trainer Brian Magie, and looks ready to take on the best in the New York Sire Stakes this year again.

Basilio Blue Chip and trainer-driver Ray Schnittker took advantage of a pocket trip to slide up the rail in the stretch and win their division in 1:56.1. Schnittker kept the son of Bettor’s Delight from making a break in the final turn when he put in several rough steps and steadied him to accelerate down the lane.

The attention in this race centered on The Best from post three and Joey Rico from the outside post seven, so Basilio Blue Chip went off at 10-1 odds as the public’s third pick. Joey Rico was interfered with in the first turn while charging for the lead and had to be slowed down, but eventually finished third with Morrill directing. The Best set the pace but was beaten by a head at the wire.

David Towne’s Wealth Manager posted a 1:56.4 victory with driver Howard Okusko Jr. in the bike. The pair sat third on the rail throughout the mile and broke loose to win by a neck over the charging Unbridled Hanover. It was the Bettor’s Delight colt’s third win of the year for trainer Ray VanDreason.

Sire Bettor’s Delight, whose daughters swept the four Sire Stakes divisions on Friday night, sent out four of the five winners. Noble Ability’s Panedict Arnold was the only winner preventing a two-day sweep.

A New York Sire Stakes T-shirt was handed out to race fans attending the program on Saturday. Those who wear their T-shirts back next Saturday for the 3-year-old trotting colt New York Sire Stakes will be eligible to enter a drawing before each race for a free wagering voucher.

New York Sire Stakes action continues at Buffalo Raceway next weekend when the 3-year-old trotting fillies compete on Friday and 3-year-old trotting colts compete on Saturday. Post time is 6:30 p.m.(HHBNY)

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