Monticello: NYSS winner Bailey J smashes track record in career debut
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Jason Bartlett went two-for-two and Bailey J lowered the track record for a 2-year-old colt trotter from 1:58 to 1:56 2/5 in New York Sire Stakes action on Monday afternoon at Monticello Raceway.
Bartlett and Bailey J got away in the pocket behind Archon (Jordan Stratton) to the 29 1/5 quarter in the second $52,500 split. Race favorite Gio's Hope (Dexter Dunn) would pull out of the third spot on the second turn and move up side-by-side with Archon at the 58 2/5 half. Gio's Hope and Archon continued to duel nose-to-nose to three-quarters in 1:27 and around the final bend, but in the lane Bailey J surged through the passing lane to defeat Archon by a length. Gio's Hope had to settle for third after the extended journey on the rim.
A Chapter Seven colt bred by Crawford Farms, Bailey J is trained by Noel Daley for owner Ken Jacobs. Bailey J won in his pari-mutuel debut off one victorious baby race at the Meadowlands and paid $6.58 to win as the 2-1 second choice.
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Back in the opening $52,500 flight, Celebrity Dubai and Bartlett pressed on two-wide to take the top spot away from Magic Musk (Andy Miller) nearing the 29 1/5 quarter and kept it to the half in 59 2/5 and the three-quarters in 1:29 3/5. 1-5 favorite Bigtime Chapter was sent first-over out of third by Dunn as they raced through the backstretch for the final time, but he would break stride on the last turn, leaving Celebrity Dubai and Magic Musk to decide it. Magic Musk did cut into Celebrity Dubai's advantage after Miller tipped him out in the lane, but not enough, as Celebrity Dubai prevailed by a length in 1:59. Koufax (Stratton) was third.
Another colt by Chapter Seven, Celebrity Dubai was sent out by Hunter Oakes for owners Flying A Racing Stable and Celebrity Farms. Celebrity Dubai broke his maiden in his third chance, has now banked $58,240 and paid $22.02 to win as the 10-1 third choice.
Two $20,000 New York Excelsior Series divisions for the group were won by:
--Telling Tall Tales (by Back Of The Neck and bred by Runthetable Stables, paid $2.34 to win) in 2:03 1/5 for driver Tyler Buter, trainer Rob Harmon and owners Harmon Racing Stable LLC., Billy Muggleston and Robert Robinson;
--Splash Page (by Chapter Seven and bred by Order By Stable Ab, paid $14.16 to win) in 2:00 4/5 for driver Jason Bartlett, trainer George Ducharme and owners Old Block Stables Inc., Kenneth Klein, Michael Infurna and Rick Berks.