Sig Sauer holds on in $240,000 NJSS Final

Sig Sauer (Muscle Hill) and harness racing driver Andy McCarthy took command of the field before the half mile and led the rest of the way in capturing the $240,000 final of the New Jersey Sire Stakes for two-year-old trotting colts Saturday (Aug. 5) at The Meadowlands.

The 6^th race started off with My Way (Tim Tetrick) going to the early lead to the first quarter in :27.4. McCarthy then came first-up with Sig Sauer and they took command of the race before the half mile marker in :56.3.

No one made a move to challenge until Hankins Hanover (David Miller) came first-over at the three-quarters in 1:25.1.

As they started down the stretch, McCarthy made sure to keep the rail closed off as My Way was looking for room to get loose and did to the outside late in the mile, too late as Sig Sauer went on to win by half a length in 1:53.3. My Way was second with Hankins Hanover third.

SIG SAUER REPLAY

It was a lifetime mark for Sig Sauer, who is now unbeaten in two starts this year for trainer Noel Daley. The colt is co-owned by Patricia Stable, Joe Sbrocco, Jaf Rog, Allister Stables and Caviart Farms. He paid $4.60 to win as the wagering favorite.

“I just wanted to get him out of there unscathed,” Andy McCarthy said. “He’s still pretty green and gets a little lost on the front. If I keep doing it, he will get used to it. My colt was running out a bit, but I kept him close to the rail to keep the other colt at bay. Luckly my colt was strong enough to hold on.”

Given a perfect drive by Andy McCarthy, Buy A Round (Walner) sat a pocket-trip to pacesetter Walcango and then came on in the stretch to capture the $240,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes Final for two-year-old trotting fillies Saturday (Aug. 5) at the Meadowlands.

The 13th race saw Buy A Round and Walcango (Todd McCarthy) both leave for the lead with Walcango winning out and cutting the mile to the quarter in :27.3, then the half mile in :57 as Special Talent (Dexter Dunn) started up first-over with race favorite Soiree Hanover (Tim Tetrick) second-over.

Special Talent stalled by the three-quarters in 1:26 as Soiree Hanover had to tip three-wide on the final turn.

Starting down the stretch, McCarthy pulled the pocket with Buy A Round and blew by Walcango and then held off both Sunkist Beauty (Ake Svanstedt) and Soiree Hanover to win by one length in 1:55. Sunkist Beauty was second with Soiree Hanover third.

BUY A ROUND REPLAY

It was the second win in three starts for Buy A Round, who is trained by Noel Daley for owner-breeder Frederick Hertrich, III of Delaware. She paid $11.40 to win.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink