Bartlett betters Stratton in Monticello's Battle of Rising Star

Jason Bartlett defeated Jordan Stratton in Monticello Raceway's Battle of the Rising Stars on Wednesday. In the driving competition which encompassed 12 of the 13 races on the card, Bartlett finished with 106 points, which was 21 points better than Stratton’s total of 85.

Bartlett, 26, the leading driver at Yonkers Raceway garnered the most points on the strength of driving five winners in the head-to head driving contest while Stratton, 21, Monticello Raceway leading driver, finished with two victories.

Bartlett’s winners included  The Pan I Love (3^rd  race); Internat’l Delight (5^th); Gosh By Golly (6^th); One More Day (7^th); and  Badlands Bandit in the 11^th race. He also reined three second-place finishers on the card.

Despite the fact that Stratton was the first of the two to reach the winners circle when he won with trotter East Creek Huck in the second race he won just one other event on the card, that being with Bacon Hill Scott in the 10^th race. Along the way Stratton had five second-place finishes, most of which followed Bartlett to the finish line.

“We are thrilled to be able to have a competition like this and we thank Monticello Raceway and especially the local horsemen who gave up their drives today,” Bartlett said in the winner's circle after being presented with a replica of a $1,000 check in the winner-take-all driving contest.

In a grand gesture both Bartlett and Stratton will donate their driving percentages to Toys for Tots with hopes of making some less fortunate children and better Holiday Season.

"Not only are Jason and Jordan fine young drivers but they are also fine young men and we are honored with their presence here today,” noted Eric Warner, Monticello Raceway’s director of racing. “And that they gave up their driving percentages to help brighten some children’s Christmas just shows you what class these young men have.” (Monticello)

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