Sears gives a masterclass at Monticello Raceway

As the day started, on Tuesday August 11, the harness racing track was listed as fast with sunny skies with a slight head wind in the stretch as the first group of 2 Year Old Pacing Fillies went to post.

After a deluge during the 7th race, the judges called for a rain delay, the track was then downgraded to sloppy.

Three races later after the sun came out again the track was upgraded to good.

In spite of the adverse weather conditions, Brian Sears went on to have a stellar afternoon, winning 6 of the cards 13 races, local trainer Ed Hart also harnessed 3 winners on the afternoon.

The Sears win streak started in the first race, as they often do, in the first division of the New York Sires Stakes, going for a purse of $35,866

The initial small field of 6 was whittled down to 5 as Amazon Ideal was scratched.

American Ivy was first out from the gate, in the middle of the first turn she made a break but driver mark MacDonald quickly got her back on stride to take the lead past the ¼ in 28:4 and the ½ 58:4.

No Clouds Bluechip grabbed the lead down the back side and took her contemporaries to the ¾ in 1:28:3.

American Ivy was tiring and Dime A Dance was charging hard, but Sear and No Clouds Blue scored a measured win in 1:56:3, the fastest mile of the afternoon, giving trainer John Berger a special Birthday present.

The daughter of American Ideal garnered her 2nd win of her young career.

After winning the first 2 races Sears scored with the 1-5 favorite Time On My Hands (PP1) in race 5.

Soft Idea had the lead at the quarter, with Time On My Hands parked, she then cleared and stayed there the rest of the mile, tripping the timer at 29.0, 58:1, 1:28:2 to win in 1:57:2 for trainer Chris Ryder.

The daughter of American Ideal gave Sears his 3rd win of the card. Soft Ideal (PP6) was a fast closing 2nd for Jim Morrill Jr. the winner returned $3.50 for win for owners Robinson, Mondillo, Cheatham and the BFJ Stable.

Prior to the 8th race, the Judges called for a rain delay and the track was downgraded to sloppy.

Vino and Formaggio took the lead as the gate sprung, Killing Em Softly also left hard but was rough gaited, Jim Morrill settled her down and she dropped in the 3 hole.

Vino and Formaggio was in control and showed the lead with fractions of 29 , 59, at the 5/8 pole Morrill came first over with the now composed Killing Em Softly to range into contention, as the pair sweep past the ¾ in 1:29.

Vino and Formaggio was not to be denied as the Art Major colt won his first pari mutual win in 1:57:1 over a sloppy track.

Brian garnered his 6th win of the afternoon, winning by 6 lengths, giving Trainer Ed Hart a hat trick.

Excelsior A – $15,000

Rolling Going Home (PP3) gave Brain Sears wins in both half of the daily double, the sharp looking Roll With Joe filly took the overland route to score a new lifetime mark of 1:57:4 for owner Ross Bonafield of West Edmeston NY and trainer Ray Van Dreason, returning $6.00.

In the 6th race Ed Hart started his own win skein as Family Roll Call scored in a wire to wire win in 1:58:4.

The Roll With Joe filly is owned by Winbak Farms, giving Sears win #4.

Major Millie tried in vain to catch Family Roll Call, even with her last quarter in 28, she settled for 2nd money.

Last division of the "B" class saw Roll of Dream take the lead followed by Angels Rockn Pink, the pair raced in tandem to the 5/8's marker.

Scott Zeron came first over with LYRA, Roll of Dream still had the lead taking the field past the ¾ in 1:29.

At the top of the lane LYRA who at this point had taken a lot of air, raced tough to score a gritty win in 1:57:2 for trainer Jean Drolet.

She was driven by Scot Zeron to take her 3rd win a row in this company.

Excelsior B – $6,800

Boniello scored in the first division (Race 4) of the Excelsior B series for trainer Roland Mallar in 1:58.

Mike Simmons drove the Roll With Joe offspring for winning owner Anatolia Racing Stable of Hopewell Junction NY, winning by 4 lengths to get the better of the favorite Rocknroll Shamayin.

The Sears/Hart combination was successful as Seafood Linda (PP 5) scored her second consecutive win in this company in 1:58:2 ($4.70)

After an auspicious start where she made a quick miscue going off stride, the filly quickly regained her composure and minded her manners to eventually overtake Milky Way Rae and Glow Boat.

The win was Sears 5th visit to the winners and the 2nd for Ed Hart.

The Daughters of Blue Chip Farms Stallion, Roll with Joe won 4 races, American Ideal sired 2 winners for the afternoon, and Art Major and Rock N Roll Heaven each had 1 daughter in the winners circle.

Shawn Wiles