The 1:52.2 track record for three-year-old pacing geldings at Batavia Downs that was established in 2018 and twice matched since was broken in New York Sire Stake action on Thursday (July 31) night when Fast Choice (Courtly Choice-Fashion Guru) flaunted his speed while winning his $77,945 division in 1:52.1.
Fast Choice (Jason Bartlett) took the two-hole trip and let Thirsty Thursday (Tyler Buter) do the heavy lifting through quarters of :27.4, :56 and 1:23.4. Halfway through the final turn, Bartlett tipped Fast Choice and he blew past the leader at the top of the stretch. Then Fast Choice swelled up and paced away by 4-3/4 lengths in 1:52.1, which was his fastest lifetime clocking over a half-mile track.
Fast Choice ($3.20) now boasts $443,472 for owner Ashley Bako. Jared Bako trains the winner.
Bartlett also won the second $79,452 split with Dandy Ideal (American Ideal-OK Heavenly) who sat third behind Holt Hanover (Mark Macdonald) who put up measured quarters of :27.2 and :56.3 to the half. Bartlett pulled Dandy Ideal at five-eighths and drew alongside Holt Hanover as they motored past three-quarters. Initially Holt Hanover rebuffed the hot challenge of Dandy Ideal through the turn, but when they straightened for home, Bartlett asked for more and Dandy Ideal responded and paced home under a line drive to win by one-half length in 1:52.2, matching his fastest win time ever over a half-mile track that he set just last week at Monticello.
Dandy Ideal ($2.10) is owned by Susan Oakes, Thaddeus Wier and Alan Johnston and trained by Hunter Oakes.
Bartlett closed out his hat trick with a win in one of the $27,397 Excelsior races with Digging For Gold (Huntsville-Gold Orchid N), who won easily by 2-1/2 lengths in 1:53.3 for trainer George Ducharme, who co-owns the gelding with Jim Winske, David Winske and Dr. Megan Moschgat. Digging For Gold paid $2.70.
The other $27,397 Excelsior event went to Silky Choice (Courtly Choice-Silk Pajamas) who also won by a wide margin of 6-3/4 lengths in 1:54 for owner Greg Hayter and trainer Travis Alexander. Silky Choice returned $2.60.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Aug. 2) with post time at 6 p.m.
(Batavia Downs)