Star Role fastest in the New York Sire Stakes at Monticello
    July 1, 2002
-- by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway
Monticello, NY --- Star Role's clocking of 1:54.2 was the fastest of the th=
ree divisions in the $145,000 New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) for sophomore paci=
ng colts and geldings presented at Monticello Raceway on Sunday afternoon, J=
une 30.
Other division winners included Nukamickie in 1:57.1 and Mr Fuji in 1:563. =
Each division went for a purse in excess of $48,000. All three victors are s=
ons of Magical Mike, the pride of Blue Chip Farms in nearby Wallkill, N.Y.
Mike Polansky's Star Role, who came in off a 1:52 victory in the Cleveland =
Classic, continued his winning ways for driver Jeff Gregory, and now is unde=
feated in five seasonal starts. But Star Role had to reach down for somethin=
g extra to hold off a late charge from last year's 2-year-old New York Sire =
Stakes champion, Dee Magic Man, and driver Wally Hennessey.
The margin of victory was just a head for Star Role, who was parked passing=
the quarter pole in :27.1 and still had a :28.1 quarter in reserve for the =
final two furlongs. Third place went to Givemethelumber, driven by Stephane =
Bouchard.
Star Role's 1:54.2 victory was the fastest mile thus far this season at the=
Mighty M and just four-fifths of a second off the track record for 3-year-o=
ld colt pacers
Gregory also was victorious in another NYSS division reining David Scharf, =
Alan Johnston, and Jerry Silva's Mr Fuji home first-over Vantastic Mike and =
driver Stephane Bouchard in 1:56.3. Third place went to Here And Gone, in re=
in to Howard Okusko, Jr.
A third NYSS division went to David McDuffee, Jim Watson, and Tom Walsh, Jr=
.'s Nukamickie, handled by Wally Hennessey. Using the front-end route Nukami=
ckie cruised to an easy three length triumph over the Jeff Gregory-driven Fo=
ur Starzzzz Ed. Bells Pond Road was third for driver Frank Galante.
In other action on Sunday, the "People's Pacer," Van's Cam made his first s=
tart for his 100 mythical owners and finished third in 1:58.1.