Berkery J ties track record – Jason Bartlett wins 4 at Monticello Raceway
August 20, 2019
By: Shawn Wiles
Photo Credit: Geri Schwarz
Monticello – The New York Sire Stakes concluded it 2019 Stakes schedule for the year at Monticello Raceway as 2 year old trotting colts pulled down the curtain. A track record was equaled and Jason Bartlett won 4 of the 8 races on the afternoon.
In the first heat of Sire Stakes racing for a purse of $51,000 saw 5 trotters go to post, Bourbon Express left first from post position 3 and had 5 lengths on the field after an opening quarter of 29.2, Bartlett then applied the brakes with a second quarter of 31.2 and reached the half in 1:00.4 with Chaptiama (Smedshammer) and Sky Castle (Charlie Norris) in tow. Bourbon Express still had 2 lengths on the pack as they passed the ¾ pole in 1:30.4, he extended the lead to 3 lengths at the top of the stretch. Pocket sitter Chapiama unleashes a 28.4 last quester to close the gap on Bourbon Express who won by a neck in 2:00.0. It was the 3rd Sire Stake win of the season for Bourbon Express who upped his seasonal earnings to over $103,000. The son of RC Royalty was driven by Jason Bartlett for trainer Jessica Okusko and owners Salvatore Vulio, James De Armond and Jessica Okusko. The win for Bartlett was to be his first of 4 on the afternoon.
In the second division worth $52,000, the 1/5 heavy betting favorite Barn Holden started from post 5 in the 6 field was content to let co favorite Berkery J cut the mile. Berkery J tripped the timers in 28.3, 59, 1:28.4 and scored a wire to wire win and equaled the track of 1:58 with a last quarter of 28.3 The well bred son of Chapter Seven – Southwind Catlin, was a $205,000 yearling purchase for owner Ken Jacobs and is trained by George Ducharme. The win was a new lifetime mark for Berkery J who won a NYSS earlier in the year at Yonkers. Hobbs (Greg Merton) finished 2nd followed by Barn Holden (Andy Miller) who was 3rd .
2 divisions of the Excelsior A class saw Clear Sailing (Credit Winner – Let-Er-Rumble) earn his maiden win for Dan Daley after sitting the pocket behind the favorite Book Seven, he scored in 2:00. Conquest AS (Conway Hall – Cordele AS) was not deterred by post 7, as the Anette Lorentzon pupil lead every set of the way, winning in 2:00 for his first lifetime win with Jason Barlett the helm.
In Excelsior B action, Crazy For CJ (Crazed – Godiva Linda) extended his win streak to 5 in a row for owners Chasing Dreams Stable of Victor NY, the son of Crazed is trained and driven by Claude Huckabone, he won in 2:01.3 and paid $2.90 to win. Discus Hanover extended his win streak to 6 in a row, the son of Credit Winner – Dancing Flames has been dominant in the County Fair Circuit won his division in 2:03.1 with the Jason Bartlett in the bike
