Forest Blu Sets Track Record at Monticello

Tyler Buter Wins Four

Monticello, N.Y. – On Monday, August 2, four divisions of NYSS went to post at Monticello Raceway. Each dash was worth $25,000. When the dust settled at the end of the afternoon, a new track record for two-year-old pacing colts was set by Forest Blu in 1:54.2 and Tyler Buter had four winners.

 In the first Division of Sire Stakes action, there was a mad scramble leaving the gate as JD (Mark Macdonald), Bounty Hunter (Brian Sears), and Forrest Blu all went for the lead. Bounty Hunter was three-deep going to the quarter and finally made the lead in the paddock turn. Once on top, Forrest Blu popped the two hole to get the lead before the half in 57.2, and had two lengths on the pack as they rolled to the ¾ in 1:26. The gap continued to open up as he had three lengths at the top of the lane to draw off and win by two lengths in a track record performance of 1:54.2. It was the third win of the season and second consecutive Sire Stakes. The son of Roll With Joe was bred by Crawford Farms and is owned by Harmony Oaks Racing, Crawford Farms and J. Crawford. The track record was the second time this year a new standard has been set for pacing juveniles.

Race 4 was the second heat. Jordan Stratton cut the mile with Go With The Flow. The eventual winner, Pickup Man Hanover, was fifth and gapped at the half in 56.3. Pickup Man Hanover, the 3/5 favorite, then unleashed a beastly move down the backside and was three-deep. At the top of the lane, he had two lengths on the field and would go on to win by six in 1:55.4 for Tyler Buter’s third win on the afternoon. The son of Huntsville is trained by Monica Krist.

Stretch the Line, the 1-9 betting favorite, stretched out the field as he scored a wire-to-wire eight length romp in 1:56.1. Greg The Leg was second, followed by Blaz N Chip. Stretch the Line is trained by Erv Miller. The son of Huntsville notched his fourth win of the season.

In the final Sire Stakes event of the afternoon, Flip My Chip was content to bid his time as Monticello local KJ Hunter and Te Amo Blue Chip controlled the fractions. Coming off the last turn, he was in perfect position to overtake the early leaders to sprint home in 28.1 to score in 1:54.4. Marcus Miller drove the son of Heston Blue Chip, who earned his first Sire Stakes win. 

In Excelsior A action, the winners were Power Blu – 1:56.3/Matt Kakaley; Lannister Hanover – 1:56.2/ Jordan Stratton; and Shakertown – 1:57.1/Jason Bartlett.  In Excelsior B action, I Pay Your Salary –1:59.6/Tyler Buter and Timetoroll Hanover – 1:59.1/Mark Macdonald.

Roll With Joe and Huntsville each sired three winners and Heston Blue Chip had two winners.