Tequila Monday and Ann Hill won their respective $59,100 New York Sire Stakes divisions for three-year-old filly pacers Tuesday at Monticello Raceway.
The reigning prom queen, Clear Idea, was looking to regain her recent form (at one point this season she had reeled off seven wins in a row.) In her last two starts she was not her old self and today not even the rail would help her.
Planet Rock (PP3) and Jason Bartlett charged hard off the gate and showed the field through fractions of :27.4 and :57.2. At the five-eighths pole, Brett Miller and Tequila Monday (PP6) pulled from the three-hole and was first over at the three-quarters in 1:25.2.
At the top of the lane, it was a two-horse race as Tequila Monday and Planet Rock both dug in deep, but Tequila Monday dug deeper and went on to win by a head, to score in 1:53.2 for the fastest mile of the day, pacing her last quarter in :27.4 for her seventh win of the season, upping her earning to over $270,000.
The daughter of American Ideal–Margarita Monday is trained by Chris Oakes for owners Northfork Racing and Chuck Pompey. It was the first of two driving wins on the card for Brett Miller.
In the second division, Jason Bartlett once again left the gate strong from post 6 with the betting favourite World Apart for trainer Linda Toscano. She was followed throughout the mile by Queen Josephine as the tandem led the way through splits of :28.1 and :57.3.
Ann Hill, who was sitting fourth until the half, was in the outer flow at the five-eighths pole. As the field passed the three-quarter marker in 1:26.1, she was third on the outside.
World Apart still had one length on the short field of six at the head of the lane. Austin Siegelman was not to be denied and rallied Ann Hill, opting to go the outside instead of the passing lane in a spirited stretch drive to score in 1:54.2 with a last quarter in 28.1 for a new lifetime mark by a scant head over World Apart. Finishing third was Touchamatic.
The Rock N Roll Heaven–Taxi Fare Hanover lass is trained by second-generation trainer Richard Silverman. The victory was the biggest win of his career for the 25-year-old Siegelman.
Local reinsman enjoyed a good afternoon as Jim Taggart, Jr., Austin Siegelman and Michael Merton each enjoyed a visit to the winner's circle.
New York Sire Stakes Action resumes on Sept. 19 at Monticello Raceway with two-year-old filly pacers.
(Monticello)