NYSS win caps Bartlett slam

Monticello, N.Y. – Harness racing driver Jason Bartlett made the most of his visit Monday (July 11) afternoon at Monticello Raceway, scoring a win in a New York Sire Stakes and one Excelsior event. He also picked up two winning catch drives to give him a Grand Slam on the afternoon card. He scored in four consecutive races.

The $55,900 first heat of NYSS, which was already a short field, was whittled even more with the scratch of Middleman, making it a three-horse contest.

Chapheart (Chapter Seven) was slowly grinding his way to the front end in the middle of the first turn when Castle House, the betting favorite, rolled off his feet, made a break, and knocked himself out of contention.

With Trond Smedshammer, driving Chapheart, controlled the tempo for the remainder of the race. Jordan Stratton, aboard Velvet Style, caught up to Chapheart and as they hit the 1:29.2, Velvet Style pulled and sat outside of Chapheart the entire way to the wire, but was unable to catch the leader, who tripped the beam in 1:58.1.

CHAPHEART REPLAY

The win for Chapheart was his second in NYSS company this season for winning owner Purple Haze Stable and pushed the son of Chapter Seven to over $100,000 in earnings this year. He is also trained by Smedshammer.

The second $57,000 NYSS division was also a short field of just five. Jason Bartlett went down the road in a wire-to-wire three-length win in 1:58.4 aboard Quincy Market (E L Titan).

It was the second win on the season for the Nicholas Devita trainee. The 2/5 favorite, Tantra Blue Chip, made a break at the 5/8 marker and took himself out of contention. Perfect Titan (Jordan Stratton) was second, followed by Grands Spa (Jim Taggart Jr.).

QUINCY MARKET REPLAY

In Excelsior action, Dan Daley won with Grey Clouds (Chapter Seven) in a wire-to-wire score in 1:58.1 – $11.60. The gelding is owned by Ann-Mari & Jared Dailey. It was his third win of the season. With Bartlett driving, Makadushin N Cheeze (Conway Hall) made short work in the second heat, scoring a four-length win in 1:58.3. It was the first of four consecutive wins for Bartlett. For Makadushin N Cheese, it was his fifth win on the year for trainer David Dewhurst.

Chris Petrelli had a training double with Special Achiever (Mike Merton), who earned his impressive eighth win of the year, to extend his winning streak to seven in a row. Petrelli also scored with Dreamfair Helena (Jason Bartlett) in 1:56.4. Jim Taggart Jr. drove back-to-back wins with Lovin Miss Daisy N and Glamorgal.

For complete race results, click here.

by Kimberly Winston, for Monticello Raceway