Monticello Raceway offered New York Sire Stakes dashes on Tuesday afternoon (July 11) as three-year-old trotting fillies were on the marquee. Reinsmen Jason Bartlett and Trond Smedshammer each had a driving double.
Barn Bella, the leading money winning three-year-old trotting filly in the United States was featured in the first race from the rail and Mamora Bay starting from the six-hole. As the gate left, Barn Bella was content to sit in the three-hole as Jim Morrill and Heels on Wheels cut the mile through fractions of :29.4 and :59.3. At the half, Jeff Gregory tipped the 2-5 favourite to the outside and slowly began her overland route. The field passed three quarters in 1:28.2. At the top of the stretch, ‘Mamora’ was mounting her challenge and ranging into contention, but Barn Bella, the diminutive daughter of Conway Hall–Bravissma, continued her even speed and held off Heels On Wheels and Mamora Bay to score her seventh win of the year in 1:57.1. The win gave Barn Bella in excess of $182,000 on her card thus far in the young 2017 season for owners Steve and Nancy Pratt and Purple Haze Stables LLC.
In the second sire stakes division, favourite Celebrity Ruth ($2.60) did not disappoint her backers. The Archangel–Celebrity Obsession filly left from Post 2, was never headed and scored a five-length, wire-to-wire win in 1:57.3. Second-place finisher Sevally had mounted a threat on the last turn, but became rough gaited and lost all momentum. The win gave Celebrity Ruth her second NYSS win of the year for owners White Birch Farm. From six starts she has three wins and three thirds with earnings in excess of $120,000.
Excelsior ‘A’
The favourite Seventh Heaven ($3.50) scored a wire-to-wire win for trainer Linda Toscano in 1:57.1. The Chapter Seven-Porque filly is owned by Richard Balog and was driven to victory by Jason Bartlett.
Jason Bartlett scored his second win of the afternoon with Hotel Royale Starting, who started from Post 8. The daughter of RC Royalty–Dream Ticket left the gate strongly and found a tuck in the four-hole. She then came first-over at the half and ended up prevailing by a head in 2:00.2. She is trained by George Ducharme for owner KJ Stables LLC of Baldwinsville, NY.
Chapter Review ($19.00) (Chapter Seven – Love Me Two) won in 2:00.1 for trainer Paul Kelly and driver by Mark McDonald. The local connection, Comfort To A Fool, finished second for Gary Messenger and Jim Taggart.
Excelsior ‘B’
Barn Sis took a new lifetime mark of 2:00.4. The 18-1 longshot , who looked sharp warming up, was driven by Cole Wimmer. The Credit Winner–Baby Im Bad filly, made a bold move at the five-eighths pole and grinded out an impressive win over ANJA for winning owners Morrisville College.
Creditover ($6.00) broke her maiden. The Credit Winner–Andover filly was idling in third until the five-eighths mile marker before pulling first-over to take the lead from the pacesetter, Royal Heiress, who ended up finishing second. Creditover scored in 2:01 for winning owner Purple Haze Stables LLC of Fairport, NY. The win gave Trond Smedshammer his second training and driving win of the afternoon.
Sire stakes three-year-old trotting colts and geldings will race on Monday, July 17. A total of $543,000 was wagered on Monticello’s Tuesday card.
(With files from Monticello Raceway)