Saratoga Harness: Jim Morrill Jr. sweeps in New York Sire Stakes

Driver Jim Morrill Jr. steered Roll Away Joe and Ideal Son to front-stepping victories in the two New York Sire Stakes splits on Saturday night at Saratoga Harness.

The first division went for a purse of $91,550, and Roll Away Joe, racing as part of a 1-2 favored entry, worked around Artmagic (Jordan Stratton) for the front at the 27 4/5 opening quarter. Roll Away Joe would then hit the half in 56 3/5 and three-quarters in 1:24 3/5 on his way to a 1:51 4/5 decision. Artmagic stayed in second throughout, beaten two lengths at the wire, and Bottom Deals (Tim Tetrick) finished third.

Tracy Brainard trains Roll Away Joe, a gelded son of Roll With Joe, for owners Howard Taylor, Stephen Demeter, and Thomas Lazzaro. Roll Away Joe, who was winless in five starts as a 2-year-old, has won third times from 12 attempts this season. He has earned $155,389 lifetime and paid $3.00 to win on this occasion.

In the second $89,950 flight, Ideal Son forced Tap Into Power (Jason Bartlett) into the pocket at the 27 2/5 first quarter, with 1-5 choice Missile J (Tetrick) settling into third. Tetrick then moved the heavy public choice, but he couldn't clear and was left outside at the 57 second half and the 1:25 1/5 three-quarters. Missile J retreated for good past that marker, Ideal Son opened up, and he went on to win by about two lengths over Manny (Chris Lems) in 1:54 4/5. Fine Diamond (Matt Kakaley) checked in third.

The winner is an American Ideal gelding trained by Tom Fanning for owner Howard Taylor. Unraced as a rookie, Ideal Son is three-for-12 in his sophomore campaign, and he has now banked $94,135. Sent off at 7-2, Ideal Son returned $10.80 to win.