Monticello: Berkery J matches track record in New York Sire Stakes

Berkery J equaled Fourth Dimension's track record for a 2-year-old colt trotter at Monticello Raceway when he won the second of a pair of New York Sire Stakes events on Monday afternoon in 1:58.

With Jason Bartlett at the lines in the $52,000 tilt, Berkery J went to the front from post four and cut out fractions of 28 3/5, 59, and 1:28 4/5. 1-5 favorite and pocket-sitter Barn Holden (Andy Miller) pulled two-wide on the last turn, but Berkery J had something left for his challenge, holding sway under a confident hand-drive from Bartlett to win by a length. Hobbs (Greg Merton) sat third and out-kicked Barn Holden to finish in the runner-up spot.

George Ducharme trains Berkery J, a Chapter Seven colt, for owner Ken Jacobs. This was Berkery J's second win from six starts, and he has now earned $78,060. Bred by Blue Chip Bloodstock Inc., Berkery J sold for $205,000 at the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale and is out of Southwind Catlin (Muscles Yankee, 1:57 2/5, $203,734), making Berkery J a half-brother to Spider Blue Chip (Andover Hall, 1:51 3/5, $1,264,522). Berkery J was the 6-1 second choice and paid $14.60 to win.

Bartlett also won the other $51,000 New York Sire Stakes clash with Bourbon Express in 2:00. Bourbon Express had a comfortable lead through stations of 29 2/5, 1:00 4/5, and 1:30 4/5, but had to dig in late to stave off a rallying Chaptiama (Trond Smedshammer) from the pocket, which he did so by a neck. Sky Castles (Charlie Norris) was the third-place finisher.

Bourbon Express is a colt by RC Royalty who is co-owned by trainer Jessica Okusko, Salvatore Vullo, and James De Armond. Bourbon Express sports a record of 4-1-1 from six trips behind the gate, and he has now put away $103,580. Bourbon Express was bred by Annette Roydon, fetched $22,000 at the SUNY Morrisville Yearling Sale, and is out of Kasha (Conway Hall, 2:06, $2,788). The dam is a full sister to the exported stakes winner Naughty Nunu (1:55 2/5, $111,539). Sent off as the 3-5 favorite, Bourbon Express returned $3.50 to win.