In the first division of the New York Sire Stakes for 3-year-old fillies, Summertime Lea (Jim Morrill Jr.) was victorious in 1:50.4. Leaving from post 9, the Lislea offspring was parked out fifth to the quarter and kept charging her way to the front. Once there Summertime Lea never looked back gaining her 12th win in 14 career starts and pushing her career earnings over $382,000. Burke Racing, Weaver Bruscemi, Baldachino, & Smith share ownership.
Give Me An Amen (Jeff Gregory) captured the NYSS 2nd division rallying from sixth. Hindered with post 9, Gregory eased theArt Major offspring off the wings of the gate to settle in sixth. Through the middle portions of the race Give Me An Amen worked out a second over trip but was making little headway with 3/8s to go. The story changed in the final stages as Give Me An Amen hit her best strides closing home 27 seconds to score in 1:50. The mile equaled the track record held by Major Look (Jeff Gregory) set in 2012. Linda Toscano conditions for owners Stake Your Claim, Martin Sternberg, and Fred Wallace. With the win Give Me an Amen went over $200,000 in career earnings.
Four divisions made up the New York Excelsior Series. Winners included Thisthatntheother (Dream Away)(Jonathan Drury – 1:52.1), JK Cheerleader (Bettor's Delight) (Jeff Gregory – 1:52.4), Park N Orchard (Joe Pavia Jr – 1:51), & Venus Delight (Bettor's Delight) (Jim Morrill Jr. – 1:53).
JK Panache (Jim Morrill Jr.) opened the card with a convincing win in the $10,000 Open pace in a track record performance 1:49.1 for 4-year-old geldings. JK Panache broke the same record two weeks ago when winning in 1:49.3. Trainer Dave Dewhurst shares ownership with Philip Hale.
Leah’s Ex captured the Open II trot Saturday night and in doing so established a new track record for aged mares. The time 1:53.1 eclipsed the record of Autumn Escape (David Miller) set in 2011. Jimmy Whittemore guided the talented mare to victory for owner Neal Chilson and trainer Angus Mac Donald. Leah’s Ex is riding a four race winning streak.
The final track record performance took place in Race 11 when Oozie’s Bad Boy scored a three length win in 1:49.4. Oozie’s Bad Boy equaled the aged pacing gelding record held by Stonebridge Wish (Josh Marks) and Go Go Solano (Greg Merton). Rick Plano trains and drives the veteran campaigner for Retired Life Stable.
Jim Morrill Jr. led the way driving with three wins while Jeff Gregory and Rick Plano both notched two victories each.
Racing continues at Vernon on Thursday at 6:45 pm. New York Sire Stakes will hit the track for three year old pacers with three divisions of the Sire Stakes and five divisions of the Excelsior Series.
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