Monticello: Melodies Major sets track record in NYSS

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 6 at 10pm, Melodies Major put on his own show in the last race of the day and second division of New York Sire Stakes worth $54,500.

Major Blake (PP4) was the first away from the gate going into the opening turn as Tyler Buter carefully floated the co-favorite Melodies Major, starting from post position 7, away from the gate and towards the lead. Major Blake relinquished the front approaching the 28 2/5 opening quarter. Once in charge, Melodies Major put up fractions of 57 2/5 and 1:26 2/5 before powering away to a 1:54 3/5 track record win.

The robust son of Art Major – Hilarious looked like a man amongst boys down the lane as he eclipsed the former track record for 2-year-old pacing colts of 1:55 2/5, set by Freedomformysoul in 2014. The Mark Ford trained freshman is owned by Martin Scharf and now has two Sire Stakes blankets in his tack trunk in two starts along with earnings of $53,250.

Major Blake held on for second, followed by JoJo’s Place who garnered the show position.

The afternoon's second Sire Stake ($55,500) event came in race 4. Shanghai Bobby left hard from the six-hole, powered his way to the front and got the lead just past the quarter. He was followed by Covered Bridge as the pair had lengths on the field by the halfway mark in 58 3/5. As Shanghai Bobby was getting leg weary at the three-quarter marker, Hurrikane Kingklee would take command for a short spell before giving way to Jack Nation, who followed his cover. At the wire it was a head win for Jack Nation over a fast-closing Covered Bridge 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.

In Excelsior A action, Cal (1:58 2/5), Light Wind (2:00 1/5) and Queenace Blue Chip (1:59) got their pictures taken.

The B division saw It's Rigged (1:58 4/5) and Baby Maker Hanover (1:59 3/5) visit the winner's circle.

Next up on the Sire Stakes schedule for Monticello is the 2-Year-Old Trotting Colt division on July 9.

-edited release (Shawn Wiles for Monticello)