Batavia, NY — A large and enthusiastic crowd was on hand to welcome the New York Sire Stakes back to Batavia Downs on Saturday (July 26) night, and they watched as eight 3-year-old pacing fillies competed in a single division for a healthy $121,800 purse during the track’s opening night.
Big performances were put in by the heavy post-time favorite of that NYSS event, The Last Martini (Huntsville-Martinique), and her driver, Jason Bartlett, who also won two $20,000 divisions of the Excelsior Series and two overnights, for a total of five wins that included a natural grand slam.
Bartlett slow-rolled The Last Martini to the front and crossed over in front of Send It Down Slim (Mark MacDonald) as they passed the :27.1 quarter. Once on top, The Last Martini was in total control and was never challenged for the duration. After passing the half in :57 and three-quarters in 1:25.1, The Last Martini took her 1-3/4-length lead around the last turn and into the stretch, where she paced home a wrapped-up winner in a sharp 1:53.2, her fastest win time ever over a half-mile track.
The eighth lifetime win for The Last Martini ($2.30) pushed her career bankroll to $705,359 for owner Glenview Livestock. Jared Bako is the winning trainer.
The two $20,000 Excelsior races Bartlett won were with Chanceoflightning (Courtly Choice-Admiral Chance, 1:55.1 – $2.30), for owners VIP Internet Stable, Taddeo Sienicki Stables and Stratton Stable and trainer Cory Stratton; and Fashion Terror (Huntsville-High Fashion Model, 1:55 – $2.20), for owner All Star Racing and trainer Mark Ford.
Bartlett rounded out his five-bagger with overnight wins with Stop Action (1:55, $4.70) and Thorn Toad (1:56, $11.40).
Bartlett finished second in his sixth start of the night and ended up with a sparkling .926 UDR for his efforts.
The third $20,000 Excelsior race was won by Bronx Mixer (Huntsville-Apricot Sour, 1:54.3 – $3.20), who is owned by trainer Ray Schnittker in partnership with Ted Gewertz.
The local $13,500 Open pacing feature went to the Saratoga shipper, Natameri (Kevin Cummings), who went gate to wire in a 4-3/4-length romp timed in 1:53.1, which was the fastest mile of the night and also of the season so far. Natameri ($7.00) is owned by Purple Haze Stable and trained by Jessica Okusko.
There was a $4,251 carryover in the Jackpot Hi-5 wager in the 15th race that was guaranteed at $7,500 and had a must-pay designation. As a result, there was $15,473 in new money for a total pool of $19,724 and the combination of 1-4-2-3-7 returned $458 for a 20-cent wager.
Live racing at Batavia Downs resumes on Wednesday (July 30) with post time at 6 p.m. Free full card past performance programs for every live card of racing at Batavia can always be downloaded at The Downs’ website.