Bartlett, Dunn deliver in $150K NJ Classics

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – Papis Pistol (Papi Rob Hanover) and Bookie J (Perfect Sting) won their respective $150,000 New Jersey Classic harness racing finals on Friday night (Sept. 5) at The Meadowlands.

Papis Pistol, driven by Jason Bartlett, returned from finishing third in a New Jersey Classic prep last week at The Meadowlands – pitted against the two main rivals in this week’s final – and took distinct command of all four quarters to win the 3-Year-Old Colt and Gelding Pace Final in a startling 1:47.4, which is far better than his previous speed badge on the oval.

The son of Papi Rob Hanover-Bang Bang took the lead into a fiery :26 first panel and ruled the mile from there. Betting favorite Captain Optimistic sat in the catbird seat as the quick pace ensued with a :54.1 half. Bartlett sat pretty with Papis Pistol while Manolete moved out of third to challenge on the outside but plateaued in the turn as the tempo stayed hot.

Bartlett had his charge coasting through three-quarters in 1:21.3 and had plenty left in the lane to deliver a final quarter in :26.1 and win with little challenge by two lengths. Captain Optimistic gave chase to get second from Manolete, who levelled off into third. Tom Horn took fourth.

PAPIS PISTOL REPLAY

Trainer Sam De Pinto said of Papis Pistol that, leading up to this race, “his feet were bothering him and we addressed it. That’s the results right there; he got a lot better up front. He was waiting for that mile.” De Pinto also said he did not do anything different approaching this race, except “the only thing I did different [was] I didn’t train him. I just jogged him this week rather than train him, just to keep him happy. He does the rest.”

Papis Pistol has now earned $403,032 by winning his third race of his sophomore season in 10 starts and his seventh race from 24 starts in his career. De Pinto co-owns Papis Pistol with Chris Arvantis, Anthony Perretti and Brad Shackman. He paid $7.60 to win.

– driven by Dexter Dunn – won the 2-year-old colt and gelding pace, going the mile in a personal-best 1:51.1.

Callmebigpapi left fastest from post 7 to take the first lead as Rocknacious followed with Bookie J in third. As the field approached the :27 first quarter, Hunting Glory left the pylons and soared to the top. That one barely settled on the point as Bookie J eased out to chase for the lead.

The shuffling continued as Callmebigpapi looped back to the front before Bookie J planted on the lead just past a :56.2 half. Bookie J had a ton of speed left and Dexter Dunn let him loose in the turn to cut three-quarters in 1:24.3. Dunn held a comfortable lead in the stretch until Hunting Glory found room on the inside and rushed forward late but too late, settling for second by a neck. Callmebigpapi took the show spot and Azrael Blue Chip finished fourth.

BOOKIE J REPLAY

Chris Ryder trains Bookie J for owner Kenneth Jacobs. The colt paid $2.60 winning his second of seven starts and raised his freshman bankroll to $131,250.

Owner Jacobs said the $50,000 yearling started slow but got better under the supervision of Chris Ryder. “They’re never cheap, but I do a lot of research and I try to find one that doesn’t always command [a big price]. Especially a pacer – trotters are [mostly] $200,000, so I try to find one underneath $100,000 and usually I’m successful. [This colt] keeps getting better.”

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Frank Cotolo, for the Meadowlands