Monticello Raceway will host five $12,600 divisions of New York Sire Stakes late closers for sophomore pacing fillies in Tuesday, July 14 and from all appearances it seems that all eyes may be on Jason Bartlett and Jordan Stratton
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The extremely talented youngsters will go head-to-head in four of the five splits. Though that confrontation happens often at Yonkers Raceway it’s only on special occasions that Bartlett comes to the mountains this time of the season.
“It (these events) may be the second coming of our ‘Battle of the Rising Stars’, a promotion we did last fall especially since Bartlett and Stratton will be competing against one another in most of the NYSS races, “ noted Shawn Wiles, the track’s assistant general manger.
“There’s no doubt many eyes will be on those confrontations but bottom line, there are some nice fillies that will be racing here that afternoon.”
In the first split Bartlett selected the Paul Kelley-trained Majorette Hanover, a 1:59 seasonal winner and a filly he’s driven previously. They’ll start from post position two. Stratton, on the other hand, has La Dreamin Delight a 2:00 winner last week from the Jessica Okusko Stable.
The youngsters meet again in the third split with Bartlett on the Howard Okusko-trained favorite Delightful Dancer from post two while Stratton has the Rideau Carleton-invader, Privacy Please, from post position three.
In the fourth division Stratton has the early line favourite in the Sam Serianni-trained Kentucky Charm with whom “the Kid” won a NYSS leg here on June 25 in 1:57 while Bartlett will handle the 1:58:4 recent winner, Allys Delight from the Howard Okusko barn. The former will start from post position six while the latter will leave from post two.
And in the final NYSS division Bartlett has the favourite in the Jessica Okusko-trained Ones All I Need and they’ll start from the rail position. Stratton on the other hand, has the decided outsider in the Lance Hudson-conditioned Golden Opt from post position two.
In the only NYSS split that boy wonders won’t be competing against one another in is the second split, race two. In that one Stratton will handle the 3-1 rated Out Of Permission for trainer Colin Johnson.
The 13-race card will get underway at 1:10 p.m.
(Monticello Raceway)