Monticello, NY — The New York Sire Stakes kicked off its 2023 season at Monticello Raceway Monday afternoon (June 19) with the 3-year-old pacing fillies taking center stage. The nine-race card featured three divisions of Sire Stakes and three heats of the Excelsior Series.

For decades, Wally Hennessey ruled the New York Sire Stakes circuit before handing the baton to Jim Morrill Jr., who enjoyed much success during his reign. The new torch bearer is now Jason Bartlett. Last year, he was the leading NYSS driver with purse earnings of $758,036. Bartlett, coming out of the gate slowly this year with limited drives, made up for lost time Monday, driving three winners at Monticello, where he has always enjoyed much success.

The $37,833 first heat of Sire Stakes action saw five horses go to post. The co-favorite Kissin Joe was the first away from the gate. She was on top by four at the opening panel of :28 and at the half in :57.3 she was up by three. B On The Hunt was the first to move down the backside, with Kissin Joe still showing the way at the three-quarters in 1:26.2.

Secret Garden was a 1:55 winner in the opening division. Geri Schwarz photo.

As they turned for home, Mark MacDonald and Kissin Joe were still the leaders. Sitting in the garden spot throughout the mile was Secret Garden. She scooted through in the passing lane to just barely nip the pacesetter at the wire in 1:55. B On The Hunt finished third.

It was the first seasonal win for Secret Garden, a daughter of Huntsville, for trainer Noel Daley. She is owned by Morrison Racing Stables and was driven to the win by Bartlett, for the first of his three winners on the day.

In the $38,533 second division, Turn On The Charm was a wire-to-wire winner for driver Marcus Miller. Starting from the rail, she made the front end with ease. The opening stanza was a pedestrian :29.3 and the halfway point was a leisurely :58.4.

At this point, having enough of soft fractions, Jack Pelling, driving the favorite Southwind Bella, pulled the right line and got underway. Down the backside, they were pacing in tandem with Southwind Bella on the outside, next panel in 1:27.3. In a spirited stretch drive, last quarter in :27.2, Turn On The Charm prevailed by a neck over Southwind Bella in 1:55. Rock My Socks (Bartlett) was third.

For Turn On The Charm, it was her third consecutive win in Sire Stakes competition. Bruce Clarke trains the offspring of Huntsville for owners Megan Rose Beauchamp and John Coffey.

Earthwindfire was a winner last season at the Mighty M in the Sire Stakes ranks as a 2-year-old. Monday, the 1-20 favorite barely broke a sweat in her $38,533 split, getting the lead from True Blue Hanover (Bartlett). Once on top, she was never threatened and coasted home a two length winner over True Blue Hanover in 1:55.2. Dame (Marcus Miller) was third.

Owned by Melvin Segal, Kentuckiana Racing Stable and Tulip Racing, the daughter of American Ideal is trained by Brett Pelling. She has now won Sire Stakes in back-to-back starts.

In $20,000 Excelsior action, Rec Time (Bartlett) scored a four length victory in 1:54.3 for trainer Deborah Daguet.

No Cigar Tony (Bartlett) went wire-to-wire to hold off a fat closing Lady Jericho in 1:55.3. The winner was trained by Scott Blackler.

In the final dash of the day, Celia B Money (Huntsville) went as far and fast as she could for driver Mark MacDonald. At the three-quarter pole, she was in front by six, passing that station in 1:25.4, and just barely held on over Team Colors (Jack Pelling) in 1:54.3. Chikfromfrenchlick finished third.

Huntsville ruled the day with five winners on the card, with American Ideal having one winner.