by Shawn Wiles for Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — On Wednesday afternoon September 2, Monticello Raceway hosted the last leg of the New York Sire Stakes program, the NY County Fair Finals. Each of the eight divisions raced for a purse of $10,000. Also on the card, was the RUS – New York Fair Series Championship, this was a non-wagering event that was conducted between the sixth and seventh race.

It was an afternoon of double and triples, Jimmy Devaux and James Taggart Jr. each had 3 driving wins. Bruce Aldrich and Truman Gale had two wins a piece, and the combination of trainer David Dewhurst and owner Phillip Hale accounted for another two win pictures.

The RUS event was one of the most competitive races of the afternoon. Five horses went to post for the $2,500 non-wagering race. Iron Will made a break in the middle of the paddock turn before the start and was out of contention early. My Friend Charlie and rider Andrea Pratt, starting from post position three, went right to the lead and took the field past the first stanza in 31.3 and had six lengths on the field. The length of margin remained the same at the half in 1:03.4. By this time, Iron Will, who broke at the start, made up about 20 length’s and was ranging into contention at the three-quarter pole parked first-over, passing that station in 1:36.1. At the top of the stretch Iron Will did gain a slight advantage over My Friend Charlie, but the recovery faltered as he made a break in the middle of the stretch. My Friend Charlie won in 2:09.2, almost rewriting the record books for the mile event.

When reached later, winning rider Andrea Pratt was still riding the wave of excitement after winning her first RUS event. “The track was fast and in very good condition” remarked Pratt. “I thought it was a fairly open race and it worked out well for me as I had a good trip” said Andrea. She is also the trainer of My Friend Charlie, “He is a big strong horse’ comment Andrea.

County Fair Finals Recap

2 YOTF

Linda’s Choice, (PP 5) part of the David Dewhurst entry, started the day off with a win in 2:05.3 for driver Jim Devaux. It was the first trip of the day to the winners circle for owner Phillip Hale. The daughter of Conway Hall – Howards Sister scored for her sixth seasonal win.

2 YOPF

Niche Blue Chip, a daughter of Art Major – PW Spare scored a wire-to-wire win for driver Gregory Merton and trainer Mihajlo Zdjelar Jr. Niche Blue Chip skipped away from the field to win by five lengths and taking a new lifetime mark of 2:00 in the process.

3 YOTF

Hollywood Jess put owner Phillip Hale in the winner’s circle for the second time. The Conway Hall – Howards Sister lass made it look easy as she extended her lead by every step, to win by 12 lengths in 2:00.3 for driver Truman Gale.

3 YOPF

Maya Scape benefitted from the rough overland route that the heavy favorite Kruella was forced to take, and was able to prevail in 1:57.3 for trainer/driver Henry Westbrook III.

3 YOPC

The glamour division was just that as Adonis Bay scored an impressive win in the fastest mile of the afternoon, a new lifetime mark of 1:55.4. Adonis Bay is trained by Harold Smith and was driven by Jim Devaux.

2 YOTC

Driver Bruce Aldrich showed the way every step of the mile to win in 2:04.2 with Trooper Jim. The co-favorite returned $5.60 to his backers. Trooper Jim, a homebred son of Conway Hall – Alpine Girl, is owned by Barry, Heather & Evan White & trained by Barry White.

2 YOPC

It was a good strategy move for Truman Gale to leave fast from the six hole with the 6-5 favorite Americanation, as the field was in disarray after three horses got tangled up in the first turn. The American Ideal – Cool World colt easily dispatched his opponents, drawing clear by eight lengths at the wire in 2:00 for trainer Jeff Johnson Jr. and owner Pine Hill Stables.

3 YOTC

The even money favorite JATO (PP2), was content to bide his time and sit in the pocket behind Royalty Rates until just before the three-quarter pole when driver Doug Ackley tipped the son of Big Apple Deli to the outside and it was smooth sailing as he won handily by six lengths in 2:00.4 for owners Margaret and Amy Butler.