HUNT OFF THE PRESS SMASHES TRACK RECORD AT MONTICELLO RACEWAY

July 29, 2025

Monticello, NY (July 29, 2025) – Usually when track records are broken they are shaved off by 1/5 of a second, yesterday afternoon the old mark was crushed by a full second and a 1/5. Hunt Off The Press and Tyler Buter scorched the Mighty M oval with a new track record of 1:53.1 in the $112,100 New York Sire Stake event for Two-Year-Old Pacing Colts.

With eight on the gate and one trailer, American Renegade (PP3 – Ridge Warren) went off stride at the start. Aggieville (PP9 – M. Merton) tried to make a right-hand turn going into the first turn scattering the pack and causing interference with three horses. Also being hampered was the other unbeaten colt Quickaway (PP8 – B. Beckwith). Jason Bartlett aboard the 1-5 favorite Fragment immediately urged his mount to the top in the confusion, briefly leaving him out three-wide. He made the top past the opening panel of 27.3 and coasted through splits of 56 and 1:24.3, all the while Hunt Off The Press was lurking in the two hole. Turning for home it was a two-horse race between the two, with Fragment looking the best with a length and half lead at the head of the stretch. The space saving Hunt Off The Press rallied and got up in the final strides for the win with a 28.1 final quarter to get the win over Fragment. Lakewood Nick (D. Rawlings) finished third in a track record of 1:53.1. Hunt Off The Press (Huntsville – Off The Press) is trained by Jared Bako, it was his second Sire Stake win of the season, upping his earnings to over $122,000.

In Excelsior action Southwind Iron (American Ideal – Southwind Inertia) went wire to wire in a three-length score in 1:56.2 – $24.60 with Dan Rawlings in the bike for his third win of the year for the trainer Kevin Lare. He is owned by Frank Chick of Harrington, Delaware.

In the final Stake race of the afternoon Killin Joke (American Ideal – Q T Pie Hanover) overtook the pace setter Johnny Wiggles in 1:55.3 – $15.20. Killin Joke was driven to the win by Ridge Warren and is trained by Janice Connor, in the process he also etched a new lifetime record. Jericho Johnny (M. Merton) was second with Johnny Wiggles (J. Bartlett) holding on for third place.

The ten-race card garnered $451,724 in handle, Ridge Warren and Bruce Aldrich Jr. each had driving doubles. Gary Messenger and Laura Aldrich each had a training duce on the ten-race card.

Three-Year-Old Pacing Fillies will take the stage next Monday, August 4 with a 12:10 p.m. Post Time.