Hamburg, NY--- Steelhead Hanover, a three-year old Bettor’s Delight colt, out of the Rustler Hanover mare Special Beauty, won the second division of the New York Sire Stakes worth $48,995, in 1:52.3, which eclipses the former record of 1:53.1 held jointly by Corner Blitz (2008), and Gimmebackmybullets (2007), here at Buffalo Raceway Saturday night (May 12). It was the first win this season in 2 attempts for Steelhead Hanover, who won 4 times last year as a two-year-old, and banked $147,290.
Steelhead Hanover ($3.20), the prohibitive favorite in the race, and driven by reinsman Jim Morrill, Jr., settled in third, as eventual third place finisher Union Man Hanover (Jeff Gregory) hit the quarter in :27.4. Morrill gave “Steelhead” his cue and the talented colt shot right to the lead, and cut the rest of the fractions, :56.1 to the half, and 1:24.3 to the three-quarters.
A scintillating :28 last quarter-mile put the winner 4-1/2 lengths ahead of second place finisher JK Panache (Kevin Cummings) at the finish line.
“He could have gone a lot faster”, said Morrill. “I had him totally under wraps in the stretch. He (Steelhead Hanover) went 1:51 at Dover last year as a two-year-old. I think you’ll hear a lot about this guy in the future”.
Steelhead Hanover is trained by Joe Pavia, Jr., and owned by Agc Stables, Dijo Racing, J. Barbera, and S. Held.
To view this race and others from that night at Buffalo Raceway :: Races on Demand
The other Sire Stakes winners were, Lawgiver Hanover (Jim Morrill, Jr.) in 1:54.4 ($48,095 purse), and Forever Just (Gary Gregory) in 1:54.3 ($48,095 purse).
The five Excelsior ($12,600) winners were, Mr Erv (Jim Morrill Jr.) 1:56.2, Fireyourguns (Mike Caprio) 1:55.2, Raymond J (Jeff Gregory) 1:57.1, Art’s Delight (Shawn Gray) 1:56.3, and Gallant Major (Dan Noble) 1:57.
Racing will resume on Wednesday May 16, with first post scheduled for 5:00 pm, Eastern Time.
Sam Pendolino..........Publicity Director/Public Relations
Photos by Paul White