On a perfect Catskill Mountain afternoon, the weather and
track were ideal, the infield flag was still, perfect conditions for new track
record. The track record did come, but not from whom all thought it would
come from, Barry Hanover surprised everyone and set a new track records for 2
Year Old Pacing Colts and Geldings.
Barry Hanover and Monticello Raceway leading driver Bruce
Aldrich Jr. were content to sit the pocket behind the betting favorite
pacesetter Windsong Napoleon driven by Jim Marohn Jr. The Art Major
colt cut swift fractions of 27.4, 56.2, 1:25.2 until the passing lane
opened up and Barry Hanover got thru to win by a scant head in a track record
of 1:54.4, breaking the former record of 1:55:2 set by Freedomformysoul.
The Rock N Roll Heaven – Beachbunny Hanover colt is trained by Judith Blaun and
is owned by John O Sixt of Chaffee NY, ignored by the betting public, he
returned $34.80 to his confidant supporters.
Miso Fast, the colt that all thought would break the track
record, went off at 1-9, scored from post 4, in the 2nd division of
Sire Stakes action. The Ron Burke trained youngster let things settle out
going down the backside, pulled from the 3 hole and took the lead just past the
¼ in 28.2, from that point on Matt Kakaley controlled the tempo and put
together a pair of consecutive 30 second panels and then sprinted home in 27.4
to win over Pointomygransdon. Matt Kakaley drove the son of Roll With Joe
for winning owners Burke Racing Stable LLC, Our Horse Cents Stables and J&T
Silva Stable.
The last heat of regular Sire Stake came in race 8,
Funknwaffles was looking to keep his undefeated streak intact, the American
Ideal - Hatsoff Hanover offspring started from post position 4. The fast colt
was rough gaited and went wide in the middle of the 1st turn, once
out of the turn the colt regained his composure and gait as he whisked by the
opening stanza in 27.4 and took the filed thru fractions of 57.3, 1:27.3. He
was briefly challenged at the top of the stretch but rebuffed all contenders
with little urging from Jim Morrill Jr. He is owned by Crawford Farms
Racing from Syracuse NY and is trained by John Butenschoen. His lifetime earnings
are in excess of $40,000 in his young career.
Former Billy Haughton grooms Mike Simmons and Roland Mallar
teamed up for a win in an Excelsior A event with Zampara (American Ideal –
Valabest) for winning owners Anatolia Farm LLC of New Holland PA. Serious
Major extended his win streak to 4 in a row, with Jim Morrill aboard in the 6th
race in 1:57.4. Project Rock won in 1:56.4 for Bruce Aldrich and owners Ian
Behar and Kristie Leigh Farm.
In Excelsior B action Monticello Raceway trainer Gary Messenger
had a great birthday present as his KJ Owen was a winner in 1:58.1. Sir
Pugsley and Jim Morrill scored in 1:58.1 for trainer Donna Marshall Cultural
Paradise and Jason Bartlett scored in 1:58.1. The American ideal colt is
trained by Scott DiDomencio and is owned by Triple D Stables.
Monticello regulars were successful on the card as Bruce
Aldrich teamed home a pair of winners and Jim Taggart Jr. had 1 winner on the
card.
