Blindwillie McTell Graduates in NYSS Great White Way

Jerold Zaro's homebred Blindwillie McTell turned back all comers with a scintillating performance to graduate while making his stakes debut in the $150,000 New York Stallion Series Great White Way division for juveniles Dec. 16 at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Trained by Linda Rice, the bay son of Posse arrived at the six-furlong sprint over a sloppy (sealed) Big A main track from a good second on debut to next-out winner Le General. 

With jockey Dylan Davis taking over from Jose Ortiz for the talented gelding's return engagement, Blindwillie McTell blasted out of the gate and was challenged for the early lead by favorite Kosciuszko, who marked the opening quarter in a swift :22.70.

A stubborn Blindwillie McTell battled back and notched the half-mile in :46.79 as a host of challengers lined up through the turn, including the wide-traveling Thorny Tale and a ground-saving Kadens Courage. 

Thorny Tale, game and determined under Eric Cancel, loomed large while racing seven wide turning for home, but Blindwillie McTell continued to find more and improved on his lead to win by 2 1/2 lengths in 1:11.80. 

Thorny Tale stayed on for second, 2 3/4 lengths in front of Kadens Courage. Invaluable Will, Riken, Kosciuszko, Lost in Manhattan, Bustin Hoffman, Bebe Banker, Dark Money, and Chicken Valley Rd completed the order of finish. Cartwheelin Lulu, who finished third in Saturday's Fifth Avenue, was scratched.

Davis was keen to make the lead with the young gelding, who was competing on a sloppy track for the first time.

"Most importantly, I wanted to break sharp, and this horse knew what he needed to do coming out of the gate. We got great position, and he was carrying me nicely into the turn," said Davis. "He wasn't really bothered by the early pressure, but once I asked him, he went on and really handled the sloppy track well."

Rice confirmed that the game plan was executed to perfection by the journeyman rider.

"I told Dylan we had a big field here in the slop, so I wanted him to hustle him out of there," said Rice. "He broke so sharp, he ended up on top and he went with it. It turned out well.

"Going forward, I think he can get a mile," she continued. "We'll see how he comes out of this win, but we'll keep that stakes ($100,000 Damon Runyon, Dec. 31) in consideration going forward."

Bred in New York out of the Flatter  mare Bold Child, Blindwillie McTell improved his record to a win and a second from two starts, with earnings of $94,900. 

Video: New York Stallion Series S. (BT)