Buffalo: Bartlett rolls a seven during Wednesday's program

The New York Sire Stakes came to Buffalo Raceway on Wednesday with 2-year-old pacers of both sexes taking center stage, and while there were no major upsets, some good efforts were put in.

But the top performance belonged to driver Jason Bartlett, as he made the shuffle off to Buffalo well worth it, garnering seven victories, a second- and a third-place finish in 10 races. He collected two Sire Stakes wins and five in the Excelsior Series.

In the first $54,500 division for the colts and geldings, Bastonata Bluechip ($5.76) was a bit tardy off the starting gate, giving the field about a five length head start, but that wasn't an issue in the end as he rallied to a half-length score over Wardensville (Tyler Buter) in 1:55 4/5, with Global Choice (Bartlett) getting third. It was the fastest time among the four New York Sire Stakes winners.

After Wardensville took control of the top approaching the opening panel, he put up splits of 28 1/5, 57 1/5 and 1:26 4/5. Bastonata Bluechip meanwhile scrambled back into the race and a first-over trip got him to the lead. Turning for home, Bastonata Bluechip (Matt Kakaley) stayed straight as an arrow and rallied to get the impressive win.

Owned by Joe P Racing Stable, Fiddler's Creek Stables and Alexander Racing Stable, it was the first victory in the first outing for Bastonata Bluechip (American Courage-Ascending). Conditioned by Travis Alexander, the win put $27,500 in the bank for Bastonata Bluechip.

In the second event for the males, Marie's Jet ($6.04) was extremely stubborn on the front-end and never gave in to Beatle Blue Chip (Drew Monti) and Clear Deal (Leon Bailey) in the stretch, posting a half-length victory.

Taking off and grabbing the advantage approaching the opening marker, Marie's Jet (Bartlett) was able to kick out splits of 28 4/5, 58 4/5 and 1:27 3/5. Beatle Blue Chip was first-over around the final turn with Clear Deal sitting in the pocket. Both were in range of Marie's Jet in the stretch, but neither one could find the right answer in getting past him.

Owned by Vincent Ferriero and Carlye Yanstick, Marie's Jet (Roll With Joe-R Marie Hanover) is trained by Aaron Lambert. The victory, the second in as many starts in his young career, increased her seasonal account to $33,250.

It was a sweet victory for Cowboy Candy ($3.08) in the first $51,500 division in the NYSS for the female pacers as she wired the short field of four in a career-best 1:56. She held back Too Pink To Pass (Lauren Tritton) by a length while Hurrikane Schmazy (Mark MacDonald) took third-place honors.

After grabbing the advantage in the early going, Cowboy Candy (Bartlett) stomped out fractions of 28 4/5, 58 4/5 and 1:28 1/5 as Too Pink To Pass sat in the pocket. Sinful Cindy Too (Cory Stratton) made a first-over move hitting the three-quarter marker, but that effort quickly stalled out. In the lane, Cowboy Candy stayed on point as Too Pink To Pass made a timid late bid but came up a length short.

Owned by Chain Lightning Stables and trained by Lambert, it was the second win in three tries for Cowboy Candy (So Surreal-Caviart Elena). The victory jumped her earnings to $78,100 on the season.

In the other NYSS division for the gals, Phast Phyllis ($6.46) was just that in going coast-to-coast, topping the heavily-favored Fendilicious (Bartlett) by three lengths in 1:56 2/5. Country Money (Stratton) picked up the show check.

Phast Phyllis (Braxten Boyd) was able to register fractions of 28 4/5, 58 1/5 and 1:27 4/5 with Fendilicious drafting along in the pocket. Phast Phyllis wasn't going to be denied as she kept her nose to the grindstone and held back the challenge of Fendilicious.

Co-owned by Paul Kautz and trainer Cameron Capone, Phast Phyllis (Huntsville-Robin J) earned a nice $26,750 in her first offering.

► Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter

In the first bracket of the Excelsior Series worth $20,000 each for the damsels, local upstart Memums Spitfire ($37.06) roared the down stretch three-wide and beat Ava's Note (Brett Crawford) by 4 1/4 lengths in 1:57 4/5. Memums Spitfire was driven by Wade Tomaszewski, trained by Thomas Mays and owned by Curtis Edholm.

The second split totally belonged to Bellissimabluechip ($3.94) as she blew out the field by 13 lengths in 1:57 3/5. She easily went gate-to-wire in putting away U Are My Shadow (Brett MacDonald) and Mojarr's Jeannie (Braxten Boyd).

Spider Claire (Bartlett) was the fastest of the ladies in the Excelsior as she posted a 1 1/4 length victory over Wine Down Wenesday (Buter) in 1:57. She returned $5.18 for the decision.

In the final division, Maxina also won in blowout fashion as she delivered a 9 1/4 length, thumping Steph Pony Lovedat in 1:57 2/5. It was Bartlett's seventh win on the program and Maxina returned $4.58 for the triumph.

The first $20,000 division of the Excelsior Series for the pacing gentlemen went to Babylons Blue Chip ($2.40) as he subdued My Brothers Keeper by two lengths in 1:57 1/5.

Twin B Wildfire (Bartlett) toyed with the field in the second event for the fellas as he trounced the field by 9 1/4 lengths in 1:57 1/5. He beat runner-up Shadow Hill (Bruce Clarke) and paid $2.46 as the chalk.

Racing will return on Wednesday at Buffalo Raceway with a 13-race program set for 2:30 p.m. (EDT). For more information including the latest news, upcoming promotions, entries, results and race replays, go to www.buffaloraceway.com.

--press release (Buffalo)--