The glamour division of the New York Sire Stakes did not disappoint on Monday, July 21 at Monticello Raceway with more than $267,000 in purses up for grabs.
Three of the year’s fastest local miles were paced during Monday's card, with Jason Bartlett sweeping the NYSS events.
The first $79,452 NYSS division saw the 1-5 favourite Fast Choice starting from post position three in a five-horse contest. Holt Hanover (Mark MacDonald) got the lead past the opening quarter of :27.1. Jason Bartlett and Fast Choice quickly retook the lead and would stay on top throughout the mile, reeling off splits of :56.1 and 1:24.1 with Holt Hanover right behind him. Fast Choice powered his way to the win with a last quarter of :28.4 to seal the deal in 1:53. Holt Hanover hung on for second with Thirsty Thursday (Tyler Buter) finishing third.
Notching the first win of his three-year-old year, Fast Choice (Courtly Choice – Fashion Guru) is trained by Jared Bako and owned by Ashley Bako. He returned $2.50.
In the second NYSS event, Bartlett used the same tactic at the first Sire Stake division after getting the lead past the first quarter. He never relinquished the front end while driving the heavy favourite Dandy Ideal, winning handily in 1:52.2 — the fastest mile this season at Monticello — with a five-length margin of victory. Red Blooded (Buter) was second with Full Metal Jacket (Leon Bailey) getting up for the show position.
Dandy Ideal (American Ideal – OK Heavenly, pictured above) notched his second seasonal win for trainer Hunter Oakes and owners Susan Oakes, Thaddeus Wier and Alan Johnston. He was a $2.40 winner.
In addition to NYSS action there were also four $27,397 Excelsior races. The 15-1 Mr Huggins (Courtly Choice – Taylorlane Diva) scored in 1:54 for driver Buter trainer Larry Stalbaum in his second seasonal Excelsior event, paying $30.80.
Ima Perfect Choice (Courtly Choice – Ideal Paper) looks ready to battle the Sire Stake bunch after yesterday’s performance when he scored a three-length victory in 1:52.3 for driver Matt Kakaley and trainer Travis Alexander. He returned $2.60. Kakaley and Alexander doubled courtesy Silky Choice (Courtly Choice – Silk Pajamas), who won in a four-length romp in 1:53.2 while paying $8.80 to win.
The final Excelsior dash saw Pat Lachance enter the winner's circle with Xpert (American Ideal – Sir Jillan Z) in 1:55.3 for his second Excelsior win of the year. He paid $3.70 to his win supporters.
(With files from Monticello)