Monticello: Bronx Barista brews up quickest mile in New York Sire Stakes

So Well Dressed, Bronx Barista, Delightville and Sea Pearl emerged victorious from the four New York Sire Stakes events for 2-year-old pacing fillies that took place on Monday afternoon at Monticello Raceway.

Bronx Barista (Mark MacDonald) posted the fastest mile as she won the second $26,750 division in 1:55. After clearing Peace Talks (Marcus Miller) for the lead before the 28 3/5 opening quarter, Bronx Barista backed down the tempo to 58 at the half and 1:27 at three-quarters before sprinting a 28 second final panel to defeat a first-over Camerican (Jordan Stratton) by three-quarters of a length. Peace Talks wound up third.

A Huntsville filly, Bronx Barista is trained by Ray Schnittker, and he also co-owns her with breeder Ted Gewertz and their partner Kitefield Stable. Bronx Barista, who also won an overnight race at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Sun Pennsylvania on June 25, has now earned $19,875 and paid $4.10 to win as the favorite.

Back in the opening $26,250 section, So Well Dressed (Stratton) pulled out of third racing to the 29 second opening quarter and wrestled command away from Moderna Hanover (Jason Bartlett) beyond that marker. From there, So Well Dressed remained in front through a 58 3/5 half and a 1:28 2/5 three-quarters, and although Hunting Hula (Pat Lachance) put in a good first-over bid out of third in the last quarter, it wasn't enough as So Well Dressed held sway by a length and a quarter in 1:57. Hunting Hula did end up second over Moderna Hanover.

Chuck Connor Jr. trains the victorious daughter of So Surreal for co-owner/breeder Janice Connor and co-owner Robert Lovett. Also a winner in the opening leg of the sire stakes at Buffalo, So Well Dressed has pocketed $31,075 and returned $4.70 to win as the 6-5 choice.

In the third $26,250 flight, Lady Saturn (Brett Crawford) showed the way early on, but Lauren Tritton pressed on two-wide with Viktoria Blue Chip and got to the top passing the 29 second opening quarter. She was well-rated from there to the half in 59 seconds and the three-quarters in 1:28 2/5, but Silly Choice (Greg Merton) came with a strong first-over brush out of fourth in the backstretch that carried her into the lead on the final bend and left Delightville (Matt Kakaley) uncovered.

Silly Choice turned for home on a clear lead but began to run in through the drive and then got rough-gaited and fell, allowing Delightville to take the victory by two lengths in 1:57. I'm A Believer (Stratton) gained spots to get second and Lady Saturn came in third. Merton was not unseated when Silly Choice went down, and reports from the track were that Silly Choice suffered some road rash after scraping along the track surface but otherwise was okay.

Delightville is by Huntsville and is a Travis Alexander-trained homebred for Fiddler's Creek Stables LLC. She was making her pari-mutuel debut off two baby races at Pocono where she finished fifth and then won in 1:58 on June 28.

The largest winning margin of the day went to Sea Pearl (Bartlett) in the final $26,250 split. After floating out from post four, she drove up on the outside and was able to get past leader Paladio (Kakaley) beyond the 29 1/5 opening quarter. Sea Pearl was unchallenged through the 59 second half and the 1:28 3/5 three-quarters, then drew away from her foes through the 28 1/5 final kicker to tally by 5 1/4 lengths in 1:56 4/5. Belle Brielle (M. Miller) rallied from fourth to second and Paladio held third.

Bred by owner Brittany Farms, Sea Pearl was sent out by trainer Linda Toscano. Sea Pearl raced in a pair of baby races prior to her first pari-mutuel start today, a winning effort [1:58] on June 14 at Magical Acres and a third-place result at the Meadowlands on June 24.

Wednesday's card at Monticello will include a $2,475 carryover and a $10,000 guaranteed pool in the Pick 5 sequence.