Melodies Major sets track record at Monticello

On a hot, sticky afternoon, Monticello Raceway hosted a special July 4th Sire Stake card, although the famous Monticello Raceway fireworks are scheduled for Friday July 6th at 10pm, Melodies Major put on his own fireworks show in the last race of the day in the 2nd division of Sire Stakes worth $54,500.

Major Blake (PP4) was the first away from the gate going into the first turn, Tyler Buter carefully floated the co-favorite Melodies Major, starting from post position 7, away from the gate and around the first turn. Major Blake had not choice to relinquish the lead as Melodies Major brushed past him and got the lead on the outside at the ¼ in 28.2. Melodies Major paced his second quarter in 29 and steamed his way to the half in 57.2.

Major Blake was right on Tyler Buters helmet the entire mile, the positions remain unchanged as they hit the ¾ in 1:26.2.

The robust son of Art Major – Hilarious, looked like a man amongst boys down the lane and unleashed a 28.1 final stanza for an easy win in 1:54.3, eclipsing the former track record for of 1:55:2, set by Freedomformysoul in 2014. The Mark Ford trained freshman is owned by Martin Scharf and now has 2 Sire Stakes blankets in his tack trunk in 2 starts and has earnings of $53,250. Major Blake held on for second, followed by JoJo's Place who garnered the show position.

The afternoons second Sire Stake ($55,500) event came in race 4, Shanghai Bobby left hard from the 6 hole and powered his way to the front and got the lead just past the ¼. He was followed by Covered Bridge, the pair had lengths on the field as they toured past the half way mark in 58.3.

Jack Nation followed live cover at the half, as Shanghai Bobby was getting leg weary at the ¾ marker. Jack Nation was now ranging into contention at the 5/8 pole and at the top of the lane had 3 on the field. Although tiring, Jack Nation, just held on for the photo over Covered Bridge (Jim Marohn Jr.) in 1:57. A bridesmaid, no more Jack Nation notched his first career win, the son of American Ideal is trained by Blake Macintosh and was driven for the win by Mark MacDonald.

The card offered 3 – $15,000 Excelsior A's heats, Crawford Farms and Northfork Racing Stable saw their well-bred $150,000 yearling CAL (American Ideal – Hulas Z Tam) bull his way to a wire to wire win in 1:58.2, giving Jason Bartlett his second win early in the card.

So It Goes (Mike Simons) was second. Light Wind, was extended to the ¼ but made the front and reeled off fractions of 30.2, 1:01, 1:30.4 to win by 2 in 2:00.1. giving Bartlett his 3rd win of the day. The son of Art Major is owned by Blue Chip Bloodstock and Howard Taylor and was trained by Gareth Dowse, Scott The Great (James Devaux) was second. The front-end speed held up for most of the day as Jordan Stratton followed the winning strategy and guided Queenace Blue Chip (Art Major – Blackjack Princess) to the winner's circle in 1:59.0 for his maiden win. Queenace Blue Chip is trained by Julie Miller.

In Excelsior B action, Its Rigged (Jim Marohn Jr.) was content to sit the pocket while Cheyenne Ryan Lee cut the mile by open lengths. Its Rigged had enough in the tank to overtake the pacesetter and won his heat in 1:58.4 for trainer DR Ackerman, the son of Riggins is owned by the Last Hurrah Stable of Pine Bush NY. The trotting bred Baby Maker Hanover (Jason Bartlett) who is by Crazed, out of a Donato Hanover mare won his division in 1:59.3 for owners Blue Chip Bloodstock and Seth Rosenberg.

Tom Grossman and Blue Chip Farms and enjoyed a banner July 4th, owner Tom Grossman had 3 winners on the Sire Stake laden card and his Stallions ruled the afternoon as Art Major had 4 winners and American Ideal had a pair.

Next up on the sire Stakes Schedule is 2 Year Old Trotting Colt on July 9th, with post time at 12:50

by Shawn Wiles, for Monticello Raceway