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As Just Chillin Boss set blistering fractions on the way to establishing a new course record of :54.66 for five furlongs in Friday’s feature at Monmouth Park, he attracted a lot of attention from the backers who had sent him off as the even-money favorite. Perhaps no one was watching more closely than trainer Greg Sacco.

            The third generation New Jersey horsemen had put in a claim for the 4-year-old gelded son of Sweetsouthernsaint after he had been entered for the price of $22,000 in the optional claiming race. As it turned out, Sacco didn’t even have to win a competition to get him.

            “We were surprised to see him in for the twenty-two, and that we were the only one to put a claim in was also a surprise to us. I thought we would have to win a shake to get him,” said Sacco, who will now train Just Chillin Boss for new owner Elliot Mavorah.

            With the rail set at 24 feet, Just Chillin Boss blazed the first quarter in :20.85 and then the teletimer flashed a sizzling :42.79 for the next point of call.

            “We saw those fast fractions and thought that he can’t keep that (pace) up, but he did,” said Sacco.

            Just Chillin Boss had been on Sacco’s radar long before Friday’s record-breaking effort.            

“We had watched him run (in four starts at Monmouth during the current meet and one over the turf at The Meadowlands in early May). He ran really well in the stakes (My Frenchman) last time out when he finished a good third to Bret Calhoun’s horse (Chamberlain Bridge) who had won the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, and Bret had his horse in fine form. It looks like a good claim and we feel lucky to get him.”

            The claim is arguably one of the best of the meet, provided that Just Chillin Boss performs as well for his new connections as he did for former trainer Ramon Moya and owners Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred Investments, who themselves claimed the horse for $20,000 at Gulfstream Park this past March. In six subsequent races carrying the stable’s colors, Just Chillin Boss racked up two wins, two seconds and one third place finish.

            “Ramon did a wonderful job with this horse,” said Sacco, whose father, William, was the leading trainer here in 1962. “Hopefully, he’ll continue to run well for us.”

            On Saturday morning, Just Chillin Boss was a cool customer in his new stall.

            “He seems to be a very intelligent horse,” said his new trainer. “Sometimes when you get a horse in new surroundings and around new people, they can be quirky. Everyone feeds differently, uses shavings or straw (for bedding), and does things differently and they have to make the adjustment. But he came back good, cooled out fine after the race, ate everything up last night and is doing great this morning.”