Monticello NY – It is almost unheard of that a 2-year-old colt, regardless of gait, making his first pari-mutuel start with only one baby race under his belt would set a new track record. Well Bailey J, did just that this afternoon (July 20) at Monticello Raceway setting a new track record of 1:56.2, smashing the former record of 1:58 which was set in the middle of August, seven years ago.
For Bailey J, his first pari mutuel start was in the $52,500 heat of the New York Sire Stakes, the race was a five horse field. Uncle Bob made a break in the first turn, Archon and Jordan Stratton from the rail cut the mile with splits of :29.1, Gio’s Hope and Dexter Dunn was the first to pull the right line in the paddock turn with Archon reaching the halfway mark in :58.2 a :29.1 second quarter. Archon and Gio’s Hope were still neck and neck going down the backside , Gios Hope was able to get a half-length in front of Archon at the next station in 1:27.1, turning for home they were stacked three across the track, but using the passing lane was Bailey J and Jason Bartlett who sat third throughout the mile who was able rally past the leaders with a LQ of :29.1 to set a new track record of 1:56.2 -$6.58 Baily J (Chapter Seven – Fade Into You) was a Lexington Select $225,000 yearling purchase for Kenneth Jacobs from Crawford Farms Consignment, he is trained by Noel Daley, Archon held on for second with Gio’s Hope finishing third,
The first heat of NYSS saw T Money make a break before the start, Celebrity Dubai and Jason Bartlett starting from post 5 took the lead from Magic Musk (A. Miller) at the opening panel in :29.1, he was still on top at the half in “59.2. Approaching the 5/8 marker the bigtime favorite, Bigtime Chapter (PP1 –D. Dunn) angled to the outside as they hit the next station in 1:29.3. Midway tthrough the paddock turn Bigtime Chapter made a break, Celebrity Dubai and Jason Bartlett were uncontested on the front in a one-length win margin in 1:59 -$22.02 (LQ 29.2) Magic Musk (A. Miller) finished second with Koufax (J. Stratton) third. Celebrity Dubai (Chapter Seven – Pennies From Above) is trained by Hunter Oakes, it was the colt’s first lifetime pari-mutuel win.
In Excelsior action, the point leader of the division, Telling Tall Tails extended his Excelsior winning streak to three straight with a winning performance in 2:03.1 – $2.34, the son of Back Of The Neck – Scores To Settle is trained by Rob Harmon and was driven to the win by Tyler Buter, he was an $8,000 Harrisburg purchase and has now amassed $30,000 in three starts. Splash Page (Chapter Seven – An Ocean Away) picked up his first lifetime win and took the final Excelsior race with a perfect trip in 2:00.4 – $14.16, he was driven by Jason Bartlett and is trained by George Ducharme.
Jason Bartlett won 3 of the 4 Stakes races on the card, sons of Chapter Seven took both Sire Stakes and 1 Excelsior Stakes, Next stop on the NYSS Circuit is 2-Year-Old Pacing Colts next Monday (July 27).