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Monticello, N.Y. – The New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) kicked off its 2023 season at Monticello Raceway Monday (June 19) afternoon with the Three-Year-Old Pacing Fillies taking center stage. The nine-race card featured three divisions of Sire Stakes, with each split worth $38,533, and three heats of the Excelsior Series, racing for $20,000 per division.
For decades, Wally Hennessey ruled the New York Sire Stakes circuit before handing the baton to Jim Morrill, Jr., who enjoyed much success during his reign. The new torch bearer is now Jason Bartlett. Last year, he was the leading NYSS driver, with purses earning $758,036. Bartlett, coming out of the gate slowly this year with limited drives, made up for lost time Monday, driving three winners at Monticello, where he has always enjoyed much success.
The first heat of Sire Stakes action saw five horses go to post. The co-favorite, Kissin Joe (PP1), was the first away from the gate. She was on top by four at the opening panel of 28 and at the half in 57.3, she was up by three. B On The Hunt (Stratton) was the first to move down the backside, with Kissin Joe still showing the way at 1:26.2.
As they turned for home, Mark Macdonald and Kissin Joe were still the leader. Sitting in the garden spot throughout the mile was Secret Garden (Huntsville). She scooted through on the passing lane to just barely nip the pacesetter at the wire in 1:55 – $7.80. B On The Hunt finished third.
It was the first seasonal win for Secret Garden, who is trained by Noel Daley. She is owned by Morrison Racing Stables of Indiana, PA and was driven to the win by Jason Bartlett, for the first of his three winners on the day.
SECRET GARDEN REPLAY
Turn On The Charm (Huntsville), the 9/5 betting favorite, was a wire-to-wire winner in her heat for driver Marcus Miller. Starting from the rail, she made the front end with ease. The opening stanza was a pedestrian 29.3 and the halfway point was a leisurely 58.4.
At this point, having enough of soft fractions, Jack Pelling, driving the favorite Southwind Bella, pulled the right line and got underway. Down the backside, they were pacing in tandem with Southwind Bella on the outside, next panel in 1:27.3.
In a spirited stretch drive, last quarter in 27:2, Turn on the Charm prevailed by a neck over Southwind Bella in 1:55 – $5.80. It was her third consecutive win in Sire Stakes competition. Bruce Clark trains the offspring of Huntsville. She was driven by Marcus Miller for owners Megan Rose Beauchamp and John Coffey. Rock My Socks (Bartlett) was third.
TURN ON THE CHARM REPLAY
Earthwindfire (American Ideal) was a winner last season at the Mighty M in the Sire Stakes ranks as a 2-year-old. Monday, the 1-20 favorite barely broke a sweat in her $38,533 split, getting the lead from True Blue Hanover (Bartlett). Once on top, she was never threatened and coasted home a two length winner over True Blue Hanover in 1:55.2. Dame (Marcus Miller) was third.
Owned by Melvin Segal, Kentuckiana Racing Stable and Tulip Racing, the filly is trained by Brett Pelling. She has now won Sire Stakes in back-to-back starts.
EARTHWINDFIRE REPLAY
In $20,000 Excelsior action, Rec Time (Bartlett) scored a four length victory in 1:54.3 for trainer Deborah Daguet.
No Cigar Tony (Bartlett) went wire-to-wire to hold off a fat closing Lady Jericho in 1:55.3. The winner was trained by Scott Blackler.
In the final dash of the day, Celia B Money (Huntsville) went as far and fast as she could for driver Mark MacDonald. At the three-quarter pole, she was in front by six, passing that station in 1:25.4, and just barely held on over Team Colors (Jack Pelling) in 1:54.3. Chikfromfrenchlick finished third.
Huntsville ruled the day with five winners on the card, with American Ideal having one winner.
For complete race results, click here.
by Kimberly Winston, for Monticello Raceway
