Monticello: NY Sire Stakes splits go to Chapheart, Quincy Market
Monticello Raceway hosted two New York Sire Stakes divisions for 3-year-old colt and gelding trotters on their Monday afternoon program, and Chapheart and Quincy Market went home with the victories.
Four horses were entered in the first $55,900 grouping, but Middleman was scratched and then 3-5 favorite Castle House (Jason Bartlett) broke stride late on the first turn, leaving Chapheart (Trond Smedshammer) and Velvet Style (Jordan Stratton) in a match race. Chapheart raced on a clear lead through opening-half fractions of 28 1/5 and 59, but Velvet Style caught up after the half and then tipped out on the third bend.
Chapheart and Velvet Style battled side-by-side through three-quarters in 1:29 2/5 and around the last turn, but Chapheart was able to fend off his rival and then pulled away through the stretch, winning by 2 1/2 lengths in 1:58 1/5.
Smedshammer also trains Chapheart, a Chapter Seven gelding bred by Steve Jones and Fair Winds Farm Inc., for owner Purple Haze Stables LLC. Chapheart is now a three-time winner from 14 career starts, pushed his bankroll to $134,527, and paid $4.50 to win as the 6-5 second choice.
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In the second $57,000 section, Quincy Market (Bartlett) fired to the top from post two and led his four rivals through fractions of 30, 1:00 3/5, and 1:30 2/5. 2-5 choice Tantra Blue Chip (Ake Svanstedt) edged out two-wide from the pocket going to three-quarters, but then he made a break in stride, leaving Quincy Market with a gap on the others that he wouldn't relinquish in winning by 3 1/2 lengths in 1:58 4/5. Perfect Titan (Stratton) was the runner-up, followed by Grand Spa (Jim Taggart Jr.).
Quincy Market is a gelded son of E L Titan trained by Nick Devita for owner Samuel Abdoo. Bred by Steve Stewart and Martti Ala-Seppala, Quincy Market has compiled a record of 4-3-1 from 15 appearances, and he has now pocketed $119,868. He returned $7.70 to win as the 5-2 second choice.