While the famous Monticello Raceway fireworks are scheduled for Friday night (July 6), Melodies Major put on his own fireworks show during a special Independence Day (July 4) card at Monticello, capturing his $54,500 New York Sire Stakes division for two-year-old pacing colts and geldings in track-record fashion.
After being floated forward carefully by Tyler Buter, Melodies Major overcome post 7 and worked clear of Major Blake after a :28.2 first quarter. The pair paced one-two through middle fractions of :57.2 and 1:26.2 before Melodies Major unleashed a :28.1 final stanza for an easy 1:54.3 win, eclipsing the former divisional track record of 1:55.2 set by Freedomformysoul in 2014. Major Blake held on for second, followed by Jojos Place.
Mark Ford trains Melodies Major for Martin Scharf. The robust son of Art Major and Hilarious now has earned two Sire Stakes blankets in as many starts, and has amassed earnings of $53,250.
In the other Sire Stakes event, carrying a purse of $55,500, Shanghai Bobby left hard from post 6 to clear the lead and was followed by Covered Bridge through a :58.3 half before Mark MacDonald put Jack Nation into contention with live cover. As Shanghai Bobby became leg weary at the three-quarter marker, Jack Nation ranged into contention and put three lengths on the field at the top of the lane. Despite tiring late, Jack Nation just held on in a photo finish over a resurgent Covered Bridge in 1:57. Blake MacIntosh trains the son of American Ideal.
Three $15,000 Excelsior "A" heats led the undercard action, with Cal (1:58.2, Jason Bartlett), Light Wind (2:00.1, Bartlett) and Queenance Blue Chip (1:59, Jordan Stratton) proving victorious.
Tom Grossman and Blue Chip Farms enjoyed a banner Fourth of July, as Grossman copped an owning hat trick and Blue Chip stallions Art Major and American Ideal combined to account for six winners.
Two-year-old trotting colts and geldings on the New York Sire Stakes circuit visit Monticello on Monday, July 9, with post time at 12:50 p.m.
(with files from Monticello Raceway)