by Frank Drucker, Yonkers Raceway Publicity Director

Yonkers, NY — Thursday night offered the first Westchester watching of the statebreds, with Yonkers Raceway hosting the $218,620 New York Sire Stakes Art Watson Pace for 3-year-old fillies.

Five forays went postward through light rain and fog, with leading driver Jason Bartlett bookending the board.

Bartlett won the first ($44,044) division, going the distance with the favored Bet on Luck ($5.20). The Bettor’s Delight lass, co-owned (with Kovach Stables) and trained by George Teague Jr., went the distance from post position No. 2. She widened to defeat Chesca Girl (Jordan Stratton) by three lengths in a season’s-best 1:57.2.

Mike Lizzi photo

Jason Bartlett took the final ($44,044) sire stakes event behind On the Glass in 1:57.4.

Bartlett sat pocketed in the final ($44,044) sire stakes event before going by with pole-sitting On the Glass in 1:57.4. The daughter of Art Major, trained by Ed Hart for co-owners Joe DiScala and Cynthia Lynn Masseri, returned $5.40 (second choice) for her first win in five seasonal starts Eagle Way (Jim Morrill Jr.), last season’s NYSS frosh prom queen, cut the mile as the 9-10 choice but was outmuscled by a length late.

“They’re both very talented fillies,” Bartlett said. “They also drew well, and that always helps. I wasn’t sure I was going to go by Jimmy’s horse (Eagle Way), but mine showed me something.”

Bartlett won five races on the 13-race card.

Thursday night’s other NYSS events, worth $43,244, $43,244 and $44,044, respectively, were won by..,

–Stolly Up Bluechip (by Art Major); owner Frank Dettore/trainer Mark Ford/driver Morrill Jr.; (first season’s win) 1:58.2/$2.60
–Witch Is Bettor (by Bettor’s Delight); co-owners (trainer) Robert Horowitz/driver Kyle DiBenedetto; 1:58.1/$4.90;
–Up Front Kelli Jo (by Bettor’s Delight); owner Ed Mullinax/trainer Perry Simser/driver Dan Cappello Jr.; 1:56.2/$8.20.

New York Sire Stakes continue Friday night, with the state’s glamour division in the $220,054 Hugh Grant for soph pacing colts/geldings, divided into a half-dozen (races 3,4,5,7,8 and 9).

Hay Goodlooking, the ’08 frosh NYSS champ and track record-holder for his division, drew post No. 2 in the second ($36,442) event. Trainer Gates Brunet does the honors himself as the Art Major colt looks to add to an 8-for-12 career resume.

Of course, Saturday night features both the $421,850 Art Rooney and $293,970 Lismore Paces.