The die was cast early in Monday’s card at Monticello Raceway as front end speed held up for seven of the eight divisions of New York Sires Stakes.
Jewels In Hock captured her $61,300 division in wire-to-wire fashion in 1:56:3. She was just two-fifths of a second off the track record held by Gerri Joys.
With regular driver John Campbell out due to a broken wrist, Jim Morrill, Jr. guided the Credit Winner filly to victory for Trainer Linda Toscano. Jewels In Hock led the field through fractions of :28:4, :58:1 and 1:28:1 before drawing clear to win by more than three lengths over Waiting Room and Barn Girl.
The bridge jumpers’ delight, Barn Doll, cruised to an easy win for regular driver Jeff Gregory. The Conway Hall filly improved her 2015 record to 8-1-0 from nine tries by capturing her eighth straight win.
Summer Scent muscled her way to the lead, taking the filed past the quarter in “29:1. Going into the paddock turn Gregory started to mount his challenge with Barn Doll, and together they had the lead through middle splits of 1:00 and 1:29:1. She kicked home in a :29-second clip to win by more than five lengths in 1:58:1 over Frou Frou and Summer Scent.
“She’s just amazing,” remarked driver Jeff Gregory in the winner’s circle following the win.
She is trained by co-owner Steven Pratt in conjunction with Purple Haze Stable LLC.
The Excelsior ‘A’ events went to High Rise (2:00), Miss Bville J (1:58.1) and Country Chic (2:00.4)
The Excelsior ‘B’ divisions were captured by Kinda Naughty (2:01.4) Tootsie Bi (2:02.2) and Untangled Cash (2:01.2).
(With files from Monticello Raceway)