by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — Though the late closer events are sometimes billed as the New York Sire Stakes second string, the six splits for 3-year-old pacing fillies that were contested on Monday, August 4, at Monticello Raceway were anything but that.

The fastest $10,800 division was turned in by Four Starzzzz Stable’s Four Starz Melody, when Greg Merton reined the daughter of Sealed N Delivered-Musical Tone to a romping 12 length victory in a 1:55.3 clocking.

The slowest win time of the other five divisions was 1:59.

However, the day belonged to Four Starz Melody, who ran away and hid on her competition and appeared to be the cream of the crop that afternoon though that statement might be challenged by some of the other winners.

Merton gunned her to the front from post seven and they sped through fractions of :28.1; :57; and 1:27.1 before they finished 12 lengths ahead of Slainte, driven by Jason Bartlett.

“This was the first time that I drove her (Four Starz Melody) and let me tell you she’s got a big motor,” Merton said and then added, “I just let her ramble and she could have gone more (faster) if she had to.”

Wild Side, a Space Shuttle-Swinging Victoria filly owned by Linda Austin and driven by Billy Parker, Jr., went the second fastest NYSS late closer mile of the day with a gate-to-wire victory over Lesley’s Jlo Belle (Chris Lems) in a time of 1:56.1.

Chris Lems, the up and coming 22-year-old reinsmen from Vernon, N.Y., reined two NYSS late closer winners on the card. His first victory came behind Gus and Alan Johnston’s Molly’s Lucky Star, a Bettor’s Delight-Pacific Destiny filly who toured the Mighty M oval in 1:56.4 and turned back favored Highmaintenanceart (Howard Okusko, Jr.) in the process.

Lems’ other triumph was with Amajortime, a daughter of Art Major-Smacker Lips, who is also owned by Gus and Alan Johnston. Amajortime was a one length winner over Gray Major (Howard Okusko, Jr.) in a time of 1:59 in their $10,800 split.

To The Point, a Sealed N Delivered-Fast Talker filly owned by Nags To Riches Stable, stalled somewhat at the top of the lane but then got in gear after urging from driver Danny Cappello, Jr. and rallied to defeat Dream Delight (Chris Lems), who had a three length lead as the field turned for home. The final time of 1:57.1 was a new record for To The Point.

Jason Bartlett, the hot-handed youngster from Maine who is currently atop the leaderboard at Yonkers Raceway, reined Ian Behar and Kristie Leigh Farm’s Endless Project to a come-from-behind, head victory in 1:58.3 over Prissy’s A Pro and driver John Stark, Jr. in the final late closer division of the afternoon.