by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — In what was billed as a battle between Jason Bartlett and Jordan Stratton in the five New York Sire Stakes Late Closer divisions for sophomore pacing fillies on Tuesday (July 14) at Monticello Raceway, only Yonkers Raceway’s leading driver reined a winner (in fact he had two), while Stratton came up empty.

Bartlett drove the winner of the first $12,600 split when he guided 1-9 favorite Majorette Hanover to a three length triumph over Jennie The Genie and Kyle DiBenedetto in a 2:00.3 clocking. Trained by Paul Kelley for owners Bill Donovan, Joe Brocco and Steve Michaels, the daughter of Art Major-Miss Kitty Hanover notched her third seasonal triumph.

Geri Schwarz photo

Delightful Dancer was Jason Bartlett’s second NYSS Late Closer victory.

Bartlett also won the third division with Rocco Manzi’s Delightful Dancer in a 1:59 clocking. Again sent off as the odds-on favorite Bartlett used the front-end route to score a one length victory over Hollywood Encore who was handled by Zeke Parker. Trained by Howard Okusko the daughter of Bettor’s Delight-Dragon’s Georgette, who owns a 1:54.2 record taken at Vernon Downs on June 19, now has three seasonal triumphs.

Of the five NYSS Late Closer splits, She Rocks turned in the fastest clocking when Jimmy Marohn, Jr. sent her to the lead and gained command at the quarter pole and from there made every pole a winning one en route to an easy four length victory in a time of 1:57.4. Lizzie’s Dream finished second for Joe Moeykens. The Sealed N Delivered-Concertina filly is owned by Pine Hill Stables and trained by Deedra Johnson.

Billy Dobson won yet another division with Freddie Monteleone’s Smooth Finish, a Bettor’s Delight-Miss Paper Wazoo filly, in a time of 1:59.1. They turned back Midnight Delight and Mickey McGivern. Sent off at odds of nearly 8-1 it marked the maiden victory for Smooth Finish, who is trained by Eddie Hart.

A final $12,700 division saw Zeke Parker and Devine’s Delight wear down pacesetter Sinful Cindy (Billy Dobson) and go on to a one length triumph in a 1:59 clocking for trainer Sam Schillaci. The bay daughter of Bettor’s Delight-Chipmunk’s Can Sing scored her fourth seasonal, but first stakes victory, for co-owners Howard Berke, Arthur Berke and Sam Schillaci.

Also of note Tuesday afternoon was the 1:55.3 victory for PH Tornado and driver Jimmy Marohn, Jr. over a fast-closing Blueridge D’Bang and Zeke Parker in the weekly pacing feature.

It was the third consecutive triumph and sixth of the season for the 4-year-old Grinfromeartoear gelding who is owned in the Canadian Maritimes by Dr. R. James Shive and trained locally by Art Green.

The Kyle DiBendetto watch continues as the 41-year-old reinsman works towards his 5,000th career victory. DiBendetto added one more triumph to his total when he reined He’s Awfully Good to a 1:59.3 score, which now gives him 4,994 wins, only six shy of that milestone.