Saratoga Harness: Coaches Corner calls the right play in Gerrity Jr. Memorial

Coaches Corner and driver Jason Bartlett took control of the pace at the opening quarter and then fended off all challengers to capture the $250,000 15th edition of the Joe Gerrity Jr. Memorial at Saratoga Casino Hotel on Saturday night in a brilliant 1:49 3/5 mile.

The eight-horse field got off to a flying start, with Bartlett trying to overpower Backstreet Shadow and Tyler Buter, starting from directly inside of him. Buter pushed the 9-year-old Backstreet Shadow hard and forced Coaches Corner to take a seat in the pocket. Meanwhile, Rocknroll Runa A and Larry Stalbaum also left but found a seat, as did race favorite Desperate Man from post eight, getting a generous tuck on the first turn.

With the field in line, Bartlett made a bold move before the 26 2/5 quarter to seize control and wait for company. Stalbaum pulled off the second turn and was followed in kind by Desperate Man, Ervin Hanover and Ken Hanover in the outer flow. Bartlett, as he's been accustomed, was able to settle the pace nicely, with a half in 54 4/5 before seeing company.

The pace quickened on the backstretch with Coaches Corner sprinting hard as Desperate Man tried to circle cover for Kakaley. With three-quarters in 1:22, the outer flow had trouble reaching, but there was ample room for Buter with Backstreet Shadow to move from the pocket, and on the final turn he gained even-terms with Coaches Corner and appeared ready to go by.

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Bartlett urged the Per Engblom-trained Coaches Corner, though, and was able to fend off his older rival, edging clear with a :27 3/5 final quarter. Backstreet Shadow settled for second with Pleaseletmeknow scooting up the pylons for third. Desperate Man spent much of the mile on the rim and held for fourth with Ken Hanover fifth across the wire.

Owned by Jeff Fought Racing and Brian Carsey, Coaches Corner was a winner for the fourth time in 16 starts this year. A 4-year-old by Always A Virgin, Coaches Corner pushed his 2024 bankroll above $418K with the victory. As the 5-2 second choice in the wagering, Coaches Corner returned $7.10 to win.

Fast Choice, with Jordan Stratton in tow, romped in the first of two New York Sire Stakes divisions for 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings. The Courtly Choice-sired gelding won his second straight Sire Stakes event for trainer Jared Bako, capturing the $77,300 test in 1:55. Silent Weapon and Meltdown Monte were second and third in the mile.

Thirsty Thursday blew past pace-setter Oogleville into the final turn and drew clear with authority for driver Matt Kakaley in the second $75,900 Sire Stakes division. The Huntsville-sired colt scored his second straight Sire Stakes triumph in 1:54 3/5 with Oogleville holding second and Courts On Fire third in the mile. Travis Alexander trains the undefeated freshman.