It what was billed as a battle between Jason Bartlett and Jordan Stratton in the five New York Sire Stakes divisions for sophomore pacing fillies only Yonkers Raceway’s leading driver reined a winner and, in fact he had two, while Stratton came up empty.
Bartlett drove the winner of the first $12,600 split when he guided 1-9 favourite Majorette Hanover to a three-length triumph over Jennie the Genie and Kyle DiBenedetto in a 2:00:3 clocking.
Trained by Paul Kelley for owners by Bill Donovan, Joe Brocco and Steve Michaels, the daughter of Art Major--Miss Kitty Hanover notched her third seasonal triumph.
Bartlett also won the third division with Rocco Manzi’s, Delightful Dancer in a 1:59 clocking. Again sent off as the odds-on favourite, Bartlett used the front-end route to score a one-length victory over Hollywood Encore who was handled by Zeke Parker.
Trained by Howard Okusko the daughter of Bettors Delight--Dragons Georgette owns a 1:54:2 record taken at Vernon Downs on June 19 now has three seasonal triumphs.
Of the five NYSS late closers splits, She Rocks turned in the fastest clocking when Jimmy Marohn, Jr. sent her to the lead and gained command at the quarter pole and from there made every pole a winning one en route to an easy four-length victory in a time of 1:57:4. Lizzie’s Dream finished second for Joe Moeykens.
The Sealed N Delivered--Concertina filly is owned by Pine Hill Stables and trained by Deedra Johnson.
Billy Dobson won yet another division with Freddie Monteleone’s Bettors Delight--Miss Paper Wazoo filly in a time of 1:59:1 and they turned back Midnight Delight and Mickey McGivern.
Sent off at odds of nearly 8-1, it marked the maiden victory for Smooth Finish who is trained by Eddie Hart.
And a final $12,700 NYSS late closer division saw Zeke Parker and Devines Delight wear down pacesetter Sinful Cindy (driven by Billy Dobson) and go on to a one-length triumph in a 1:59 clocking for trainer Sam Schillaci.
The bay daughter of Bettors Delight--Chipmunks Can Sing scored her fourth seasonal but first stakes victory for co-owners Howard Berke, Arthur Berke and Sam Schillaci.
(With files from Monticello)