Bartlett dominant at Big M

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – With 13 driving titles at Yonkers Raceway on his resume, many harness racing fans are familiar with Jason Bartlett’s prowess on a half-mile track. Sometimes, what’s forgotten is how good the 43-year-old pilot is negotiating The Meadowlands mile oval as well.

Given what he’s done lately at The Big M, people now know he’s not a one-trick half-mile pony.

One of only two drivers to win five races twice on a single Big M program during 2024 (Yannick Gingras was the other), Bartlett won four times on Dec. 28 before walking down victory lane on six occasions on Saturday’s 14-race card.

The record for eight wins on a Meadowlands card is shared by Mike Lachance and Brett Miller.

“I thought if I could win three, it’d be a good night,” said Bartlett. “I get the stigma of being a half-mile driver, but when I come to The Meadowlands, my mindset isn’t really any different. I’m an aggressive driver. It doesn’t matter to me what track I’m on.

“Racing at Yonkers fits my schedule well, since I coach my son’s sports teams. But I love racing at The Meadowlands. I love changing it up.”

‘COWGIRL’ TAKES FEATURE: Bartlett’s six-winner night included a victory in the feature.

Beach Cowgirl knows a thing or two about facing stiff competition at The Meadowlands, as during 2024, the Ron Burke trainee had to go up against the likes of Grace Hill, Kobe’s Gigi, My Girl E J and the ikely Horse of the Year, Twin B Joe Fresh.

She wasn’t in an easy spot in the $25,000 high-end conditioned dash for pacing fillies and mares, but she did get an opportunity to flaunt her class facing a field not quite as good as some that she faced a year ago, grinding her foes down at the wire in a photo finish in 1:51.3 on a night when the real-feel temperature was 15 degrees.

“She’s just a sweetheart to drive,” said Bartlett. “She always gives max effort.”

In a field where a pair of scratches reduced the starters to seven, Beach Cowgirl fired away from post six only to find plenty of company near the front. Bartlett opted to abort any thought of the lead and backed into the four-hole.

“Going into the first turn, I didn’t care for my spot,” said Bartlett. “But I figured if I could just stay close going into the last turn [it would work out].”

Coachellabound N, Lloyd’s Loves and Tony’s Mom lined up 1-2-3 past the quarter in :27.4 and half in :55.3. At the five-eighths, Beach Cowgirl was moved to the outside and quickly made up ground while racing uncovered on the rim. At three-quarters, Coachellabound N was still on the point in 1:23.4, but Beach Cowgirl was coming.

“I just wanted to keep my legs on Smitty’s [Steve Smith, driving Coachellabound N] wheel,” said Bartlett.

Beach Cowgirl and Coachellabound N were on even terms with an eighth-of-a-mile to go while Lloyd’s Loves cried out for space along the rail. At the wire, Beach Cowgirl would prevail by a head as Coachellabound N barely held second over Lloyd’s Loves.

“She’s not very big, she’s all heart, that’s for sure,” said Bartlett. “When you come to work, you kinda like to drive horses like this.”