Batavia Downs: Hitman Hill makes it a grand slam in track record time

Hitman Hill is now a perfect four-for-four in his 2-year-old campaign after a 1:52 4/5 track record victory in the first of two New York Sire Stakes divisions for pacing colts on Friday evening at Batavia Downs.

Brett Miller was in town to drive Hitman Hill in the $53,500 contest, and he would put him on the front from the pole posiition, chopping out panels of 27 3/5, 56 1/5, and 1:25 1/5. Second choice Casual Cool (Drew Monti) came first-over out of third past the half and got to within three-quarters of a length of Hitman Hill at three-quarters, but he turned on the jets in the final stanza, pulling clear to prevail by four lengths. Casual Cool wound up second and Aces In Heaven (John MacDonald) finished third.

The 1:52 4/5 clocking broke the previous track record of 1:53 2/5 set last year by Pointomygranson.

Chris Oakes trains Hitman Hill, an American Ideal gelding owned by Tom Hill and North Fork Racing Stable. Hitman Hill, a $145,000 purchase at the Standardbred Horse Sale, has banked $79,383 to go with his unblemished status. Bred by Blue Chip Bloodstock Inc., Hitman Hill is out of the Incredible Finale mare Fox Valley Shaker ($427,164), making him a half-brother to five six-figure earners, including Pretty Katherine (Rocknroll Hanover, $525,653). Hitman Hill returned $2.40 to win as the 1-5 favorite.

In the other $52,500 split it would be public choice Paprike Blue Chip (Jim Morrill Jr.) leading the way through fractions of 29, 58, and 1:25 2/5. Silver Arrow (MacDonald) made a first-over move out of the fourth position before the half, and that gave cover to Jersey Jim (Jim Devaux). When Silver Arrow was able to get into the pocket ahead of a retreating Persist Blue Chip (Matt Kakaley) near three-quarters, that left Jersey Jim first-over on the final bend, but he was able to keep gaining ground, joining Paprike Blue Chip as they entered the lane. Jersey Jim wrestled command away through the stretch drive, and he would go on to defeat Paprike Blue Chip by a length and a quarter in a 1:54 1/5 mile. Silver Arrow would come in third.

Jersey Jim is a gelded son of Artiscape trained by Perry Simser for owners Robert and Gail Sanders. Jersey Jim, a $17,000 acquisition from the Standardbred Horse Sale, now sports a record of 3-0-2 from six efforts, and he has earned $62,933. Bred by Winbak Farm, Jersey Jim is out of the Dragon Again mare Jersey Pearl, a half-sister to the likes of Barn Art (Modern Art, $226,993). Dispatched at 9-5, Jersey Jim paid $5.80 to win.