Forrest Blu sets track record at Monticello

Monticello, NY — On Monday (Aug. 2), four divisions of the New York Sires Stakes went to post at Monticello Raceway. Each dash was worth $25,000-plus. When the dust settled at the end of the afternoon, a new track record for 2-year-old pacing geldings was set by Forrest Blu in 1:54.2 and Tyler Buter had four winners.

A new track record for 2-year-old pacing geldings was set by Forrest Blu in 1:54.2. Geri Schwarz photo.

In the $25,200 first division of Sire Stakes action, there was a mad scramble leaving the gate as JD (Mark MacDonald), Bounty Hunter (Brian Sears), and Forrest Blu (Buter) all went for the lead. Bounty Hunter was three-deep going to the quarter and finally made the lead in the paddock turn. Forrest Blu popped the two hole to get the lead before the half in :57.2 and had two lengths on the pack as they rolled to the three-quarters in 1:26.

The gap continued to open up as he had three lengths on the field at the top of the lane to draw off and win by two lengths in a track record performance of 1:54.2. It was the third win of the season and second consecutive Sire Stakes score. The son of Roll With Joe-Lima Fairest was bred by Crawford Farms and is owned by Harmony Oaks Racing Stable, Crawford Farms Racing and James Crawford IV.

The track record was the second time this year a new standard has been set for pacing juveniles.

Race four was the $25,650 second heat. Jordan Stratton cut the mile with Go With The Flow. The eventual winner, Pickup Man Hanover, was fifth and gapped at the half in :56.3. Pickup Man Hanover, the 3-5 favorite, then unleashed a beastly move down the backside and was three-deep. At the top of the lane, he had two lengths on the field and would go on to win by 6-1/2 lengths in 1:55.4 for Buter’s third win on the afternoon. The son of Huntsville-Pilgrims Witchie is trained by Monica Krist.

In the $25,650 third split, Stretch The Line, the 1-9 betting favorite, stretched out the field as he scored a wire-to-wire, 8-1/4 length romp in 1:56.1. Greg The Leg was second, followed by Blaz N Chip. Stretch The Line is trained by Erv Miller. The son of Huntsville-Jessalilmixup notched his fourth win of the season.

In the $25,200 final Sire Stakes event of the afternoon, Flip My Chip was content to bide his time as Monticello locals KJ Hunter and Te Amo Blue Chip controlled the fractions. Coming off the last turn, he was in perfect position to overtake the early leaders to sprint home in :28.1 to score in 1:54.4. Marcus Miller drove the son of Heston Blue Chip-Restive Hanover, who earned his first Sire Stakes win.

In Excelsior A action, the winners were Power Blu (1:56.3/Matt Kakaley); Lannister Hanover (1:56.2/Jordan Stratton); and Shakertown (1:57.1/Jason Bartlett). In Excelsior B action, I Pay Your Salary (1:59.3/Tyler Buter) and Timetoroll Hanover (1:59.1/Mark MacDonald) were the winners.

Roll With Joe and Huntsville each sired three winners and Heston Blue Chip had two winners.

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