He's Gorgeous continues to roll in NYSS

Friday, September 11, 2009

by Dustin Ross, publicity director, Tioga Downs

Nichols, NY -- He’s Gorgeous continued his reign of terror in the New York Sire Stakes on Friday night (Sept. 11) at Tioga Downs for 2-year-old colt and gelding pacers.

Over a track rated "sloppy," and after a 10-minute rain delay, Jason Bartlett sent the 2-year old son of Art Major-So Ravishing to the front past the quarter pole in 28.3. The duo slowed things down through a middle half in 1:00.3, with the second choice Jo Pa’s Fod (Jim Morrill Jr.) sitting on their back. Bartlett asked He’s Gorgeous to pace through the final panel and the colt responded posting a last quarter in 27.4, to trip the tele-timer in 1:57.

It was the seventh win in nine seasonal starts for He’s Gorgeous, who increased his earnings to more than $133,000. Linda Toscano trains He’s Gorgeous for Ken Jacobs of Baldwinsville, N.Y., who purchased the colt for $97,000. Jim Morrill Jr. and Jo Pa’s Fod finished second, while Shinedupnreadytogo (Matt Kakaley) finished third.

Bettor Again posted the fastest mile of the night for 2-year-old colt and gelding pacers with Jim Morrill Jr. in the bike. Morrill was sitting fourth on the rail as the field passed the quarter pole in 28.1. Morrill then pulled to the outside and sent Bettor Again to the front and right down the front end through fractions of 57.3 and 1:26.1 before sprinting away from the field in 28.4.



The mile of 1:55 was just a fifth of a second off the lifetime mark for Bettor Again that was set at Tioga Downs on Aug. 16. The 2-year-old son of Bettor’s Delight-Jated Love is trained by Noel Daley for Patricia Stable of Massapequa, N.Y. It was the third win in six seasonal starts for Bettor Again who increased his bankroll to more than $100,000 with the victory.



Bluff Point set a new lifetime mark with her 1:55.3 win.

Grabbing the victory in the third division for freshman pacing colts was Bluff Point (Jim Morrill Jr.), who inherited the lead as favored Flexjet (Dan Cappello Jr.) made a costly break around the final turn. The mile of 1:55.3 was a new lifetime mark for the 2-year-old son of Pro Bono Best-Hannah Road, who is trained by Ron Burke for the partnership of Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, and the JJK stable.

Capturing the two $90,469 divisions for freshman pacing fillies were Hula’s Z Tam (Mike Lachance) in 1:57, and Lady Major (Jason Bartlett) in 1:55.4 after being placed the winner. Jim Morrill Jr. and Max’s Leading Lady finished first, but were placed second do to interference in the stretch with Bartlett and Lady Major.

Tioga Downs continues live racing action on Saturday, Sept. 12, at 6:50 p.m. and features the $127,000 Artiscape Pace that includes world champions Hana Hanover (George Brennan) and Southwind Tempo (Tim Tetrick), along with double millionaire Darlin’s Delight (Yannick Gingras).