The Last Martini And Bartlett Star In New York Sire Stakes

A large and enthusiastic crowd was on hand to welcome the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) back to Batavia Downs on Saturday, July 26 and they watched as eight three-year-old pacing fillies competed in a single division for the healthy $166,849 purse during the track's opening night.
Big performances were put in by the heavy post time favourite of that NYSS event, The Last Martini, and her driver, Jason Bartlett, who also won two $27,397 divisions of the Excelsior Series and two overnights, for a total of five wins that included a natural grand slam.
In the NYSS main event, Bartlett slow-rolled The Last Martini to the front and crossed over ahead of Send It Down Slim (Mark MacDonald) as they passed the :27.1 quarter. Once on top, The Last Martini was in total control and was never challenged for the duration. After passing the half in :57 and three-quarters in 1:25.1, The Last Martini took her 1-3/4-length lead around the last turn and into the stretch where she paced home a wrapped-up winner in a sharp 1:53.2, which was her fastest win time ever over a half-mile track. Send It Down Slim held off Strutsville (Ridge Warren) for the runner-up honours.
A three-time NYSS winner this year after taking the divisional championship title at two, The Last Martini recorded her eighth career victory in 17 starts and pushed her bankroll over $965,000 for owner Glenview Livestock Ltd. of Wallenstein, Ont. Jared Bako is the winning trainer. The Huntsville-Martinique filly paid $2.30 to win.
The two Excelsior races Bartlett won were with favourites Chanceoflightning (Courtly Choice-Admiral Chance) in 1:55.1 for trainer Cory Stratton and owners VIP Internet Stable, Taddeo Sienicki Stables and Stratton Stable, and Fashion Terror (Huntsville-High Fashion Model) in 1:55 for trainer Mark Ford and owner All Star Racing. They paid $2.30 and $2.20 to win, respectively.
Bartlett rounded out his five-bagger with overnight wins in rein to pacers Stop Action ($4.70) in 1:55 for the Ron Beback Jr. stable and Thorn Toad ($11.40) in 1:56 for conditioner Candace Brandstatter-Hall.
Bartlett finished second in his sixth start of the night and ended up with a sparkling .926 UDR for his efforts.
The third Excelsior race was won by Bronx Mixer (Huntsville-Apricot Sour), trained and owned by Ray Schnittker in partnership with Ted Gewertz. Mark MacDonald drove the popular 1:54.3 winner, who paid $3.20.
The $18,493 Open Handicap Pace went to the Saratoga shipper, Natameri ($7), who led gate-to-wire in a 4-3/4-length romp timed in 1:53.1, which was the fastest mile of the night and also of the Batavia season so far. Natameri was driven by Kevin Cummings and is trained by Jessica Okusko for owner Purple Haze Stable.
There was a $4,251 carryover in the Jackpot Hi-5 wager in the 15th race that was guaranteed at $7,500 and had a must-pay designation. As a result, there was $15,473 in new money for a total pool of $19,724 and the combination of 1-4-2-3-7 returned $458 for a 20-cent wager.
Live harness racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday, July 30, with post time at 6 p.m.
(With files from Batavia Downs)