Bronx Barista and Sea Pearl Post Impressive Wins in NYSS Action at Monticello

July 5, 2023

Monticello, N.Y. – Jordan Stratton and Matt Kakaley each notched three driving wins at Monticello Raceway on Monday, July 3, with Bronx Barista and Sea Pearl posting impressive wins. The betting public wagered $598,612 on the 11-race card, which featured four divisions of New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) and four heats of the Excelsior series, racing for over $180,000 in purses.

The first of four heats of NYSS saw Jordan Stratton aboard So Well Dressed take the lead at the opening panel, setting the tempo of 29, 58:3, 1:28:2. Entering the paddock turn, Hunting Hula and Patrick Lachance mounted a charge on the outside but the threat never materialized, and So Well Dressed (So Surreal–Gotmydredresstnit) cruised home a one length winner in 1:57 – $4.70. It was the filly’s second consecutive win in NYSS competition. She is trained by Chuck Conner. Hunting Hula was second, followed by Moderna Hanover.

The second division, worth $26,750, showcased two excellent fillies: Camerican and Bronx Barista. When the gate left, Camerican blasted away from post 7 with intentions of making the front end, but so did Bronx Barista, literally muscling her way between horses in the first turn to take the lead. From there, she set splits of 28.3, 58. At the 5/8 pole, Camerican, sitting fourth, came off the wood and took aim on the leader as they went 1:27. From there, it was a sprint to the wire. With the front-end advantage, Bronx Barista held off a determined Camerican to win by one length in 1:55, for the fastest mile of the afternoon. Camerican paced her last quarter in 27.4. Bronx Barista is a daughter of Huntsville (Apricot). She is trained by co-owner Ray Schnittker and other owners Ted Gewertz and Kitefield Stable. She was driven by Mark Macdonald. Bronx Barista sports a perfect tally of two wins in two starts. With each start, she shaves her lifetime record of 1:55, which was just two ticks off the track record of 1:54.2 set by Joyride Hanover.

Victoria Blue Chip, driven by Lauren Tritton, worked hard to make the lead, parked to the opening panel in 29 and then took them to the half in an even rated 59. As they made their way down the backstretch, 30-1 Silly Choice got underway in a hurry for driver Greg Merton, who got the lead at the ¾ in 1:28.2. Entering the paddock turn, the filly was putting in extra sets with Delightville on the move, coming off the last turn. While turning for home, Silly Choice started veering toward the infield and took a bad step and went down. Thankfully, no one was directly behind her and Delightville went on to the victory in 1:57 – $16.20. Finishing second was I’m A Believer (Stratton) and Lady Saturn (B. Crawford) was third. The Travis Alexander-trained daughter of Huntsville (DD Delight) was driven by Jordan Stratton. It was her first pari-mutuel win and a new lifetime record. Silly Choice and Greg Merton both walked away unscathed after the mishap.

The final Sire Stakes race, worth $26,250, saw three lead changes by the opening panel. The 1/5 favorite, Sea Pearl and Jason Bartlett, got the lead in 29.1, the half in 59. They were still single file down the backside, hitting the next station in 1:28:3. The first to mount a challenge was Belle Brielle, but to no avail. Bartlett hit the gas pedal and the fleet daughter of American Ideal–Lady Captain scooted home a five-length victor in 1:56.4 -$2.70. Belle Brielle (M. Miller) was second, followed by Paladio (Kakaley). Sea Pearl notched a new lifetime mark in her pari-mutuel debut. She is trained by Linda Toscano and is owned by Brittany Farm of Versailles, with Jason Bartlett in the sulky.

In Excelsior action, Cheris Choice scored in a 61/1 bomb for trainer–driver John Nason as she scored in 1:59.1 – $123.50, earning a new record in the process. Other winners were A Few Choice Words (1:58.1 – $5.60). It was one of three wins on the day for driver Matt Kakaley. Petrol Queen (Stratton) scored from a pocket trip in 1:57.4 – $3.60 for trainer Jacob Hartline. In the afternoon finale, Chris Choice (Kakaley) scored in a wire-to-wire winning effort in 1:58.4. The freshman daughter of Little Brown Jug Winner (Courtly Choice–Princess Christine) is trained by Hunter Oaks.

Courtly Choice lead all sires with three winners on the day. Huntsville had a pair.