by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway
Monticello, NY — Twin B Passion’s 1:57 victory in her division of the New York Sires Stakes late closers for sophomore pacing fillies was the fastest of the six $9,800 divisions presented at Monticello Raceway on Monday afternoon, August 6.
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Racehorsephoto.com photo
Twin B Passion scored in 1:57 for driver Stephane Bouchard.
Stephane Bouchard guided the daughter of Bettor’s Delight to a gate-to-wire, head triumph over a fast-closing A M Firegirl (Jordan Stratton). It was one of Bouchard’s four driving victories in the NYSS late closers. For Twin B Passion, who is owned by John Sixt and Judith Blaun, it marked her fourth victory of the season and fastest on a double oval.
But it was Jimmy Devaux who got the ball rolling in the late closer action when he drove Ted Cupp’s Uncork New York to victory in the first of the six races for the New York bred fillies. Devaux started from the rail position with the daughter of Kassa Branca and they made every pole a winning one en route to a 1-1/4 length victory over the even-money favorite Twin B Maddi, who was handled by Joshua Marks. Sent off at odds of over 7-1, Uncork New York, trained by Paul Zabielski, paid $16.20 for win.
Bouchard then won the next NYSS late closer with DW’s Abby, a daughter of Noble Ability, in a 1:58.2 clocking. After being circled in the first turn, Bouchard retook to the lead after the quarter pole and cruised to an easy three length, front end triumph over New York Mistress and driver Greg Merton.
Owned by the WD La Page Stable and trained by Jeff Deslandes, DW’s Abby earned a new lifetime record and scored her second seasonal triumph. She returned a $4.40 win mutuel.
After Jimmy Whittemore guided Newberry Winner to a 1:58 victory in the third split, Bouchard took command and won the remainder of the NYSS late closers. Newberry Winner, a daughter of Village Jove, gained command at the quarter pole and then led the field to the finish and was two lengths ahead of runner-up Leslie’s Best and driver Kim Crawford at the wire.
Owned by Rocco Manzi and Paul Tandimayer and trained by Lonny Hale, Newberry Winner scored her seventh seasonal triumph and returned $6.50 for win.
Bouchard then took command and drove Twin B Passion to victory in the third split. He then won the fourth division with Two Peas In A Pod Stables’ Cindy Blue Chip in a 1:59.4 clocking. In that contest Jimmy Whittemore sent Harlen Meer through speedy fractions of :28, :57.3 and 1:28.1 before she tired and finished fourth. Meanwhile Bouchard and Cindy Blue Chip rallied from the back of the pack — she was 12 lengths off at the quarter pole — and charged from fifth at the three-quarters to overtake the pace-setter and go on to score a one length victory over Dreamy, who was driven by Jimmy Devaux. Trained by Mary Beth Fisher, Cindy Blue Chip, a daughter of Bettor’s Delight, returned a $7.90 win mutuel.
In the final NYSS late closer, Bouchard sent longshot Day And Night immediately to the front from post position seven and then went wire-to-wire to score an upset victory over 1-5 shot Precious Wonder and driver Jimmy Marohn. Owned by Susan Popfinger and trained by Bill Popfinger, the Bettor’s Delight filly paid a hefty $28.20 for win.