There were two $70,300 divisions of the New York Sire Stakes for two-year-old colt and gelding trotters contested on Monday afternoon at Saratoga Casino Hotel.
Driver Jason Bartlett has thrived in his limited starts at Saratoga this season and Monday was no different as the talented reinsman piloted three winners on the card.
Bartlett sat behind the Dan Daley-trained Ahundreddollarbill (Chapter Seven-Swinging Royalty-RC Royalty) for the first time and as the freshman moved first-over, the race’s favourite went off stride. Ahundreddollarbill powered away from the rest of the field to win in 1:57.4 to break his maiden and spring the upset at odds of 12-1.
Ahundreddollarbill was the fastest Sire Stakes trotter of the day as the other division was won by Ake Svanstedt’s Ambassador Hanover (Chapter Seven-Angel Eyes Hanover-Cantab Hall) in 1:59.1.
Ambassador Hanover moved his career record to three-for-three when he went coast-to-coast as the 4-5 betting favourite in his division on Monday. Bartlett, who had the hat trick, was second to Ambassador Hanover with Steel (Chapter Seven) for trainer Julie Miller. Sevenshadesofgrey (Corey Callahan) earned the show spot.
New York Sire Stakes action returns to Saratoga on Wednesday evening when two-year-old filly pacers come to town.
Live racing continues on Tuesday afternoon at the Spa with a matinee beginning at 12:15 p.m.
(Saratoga Casino Hotel)