Monticello, NY – The glamour division of the New York Sire Stakes did not disappoint Monday afternoon (July 21) at Monticello Raceway with over $195,000 in purses up for grabs. Three of the year’s fastest miles were paced yesterday afternoon, Jason Bartlett won both NYSS events and trainer Travis Alexander recorded a training double.
The first heat saw the 1-5 favorite Fast Choice start from post position three in a five-horse contest. Holt Hanover (Mark MacDonald) got the lead past the opening quarter of :27.1. Bartlett aboard Fast Choice quickly retook the lead and would stay on top throughout the mile, reeling off splits of :56.1 and 1:24.1 with Holt Hanover right behind him. Fast Choice powered his way to the win with a last quarter of :28.4 to seal the deal in 1:53. Holt Hanover hung on for second with Thirsty Thursday (Tyler Buter) finishing third. Fast Choice (Courtly Choice-Fashion Guru) is trained by Jared Bako and owned by Ashely Bako. He notched his first win as a 3-year-old.
Jason Bartlett used the same tactic as the first Sire Stake event after getting the lead past the first quarter. He never relinquished the lead while driving the heavy favorite Dandy Ideal, winning handily with a five-length margin in 1:52.2, the fastest mile this season at Monticello Raceway. Dandy Ideal (American Ideal-OK Heavenly) notched his second seasonal win for trainer Hunter Oakes. Red Blooded (Buter) was second with Full Metal Jacket (Leon Bailey) getting up for the show position.
In addition to Sire Stakes action there were also four $20,000 Excelsior Series races.
The 14-1 Mr. Huggins (Courtly Choice-Taylorlane Diva) scored in 1:54 – $30.80 for Buter and trainer Larry Stalbaum in his second seasonal Excelsior event. Ima Perfect Choice (Courtly Choice-Ideal Paper), driven by Matt Kakaley and trained by Travis Alexander, looks ready to battle the Sire Stake bunch after yesterday’s performance when he scored a 3-1/2 length victory in 1:52.3 – $2.60. Silky Choice (Courtly Choice-Silk Pajamas) won in a 4-1/4 length romp in 1:53.2 – $8.80 for the duo of Kakaley and Alexander. The final Excelsior dash saw Pat Lachance enter the winners circle with Xpert (American Ideal-Sir Jillian Z Tam) in 1:55.2 – $3.70 for his second Excelsior win of the year.
Kakaley and Bartlett notched stakes doubles, Bruce and Laura Aldrich each had a double.