Talk To Tony fastest in NYSS late-closers

One of the wonderful aspects of the New York Sire Stakes program is that there is something for everyone. One need not have the one of the leading candidates in a division to participate.

 

Owners of lesser-caliber horses are afforded races in late-closers and then there is the New York Sire Stakes County Fair program, which not only offers races and schooling for the participating youngsters, but helps the county fairs keep harness racing as part of their curriculum.

 

At Monticello Raceway on Thursday afternoon, four divisions of New York Sire Stakes late-closers for freshman pacers were each raced for purses of $12,700. Of the four, the fastest clocking was turned in by Jay Sears and John Campagnuolo’s Talk To Tony, when Jimmy Whittemore guided the Artiscape-Muggins Hanover gelding to a 2:00.2 clocking over the4 heavily favored Bullville Player (Stephane Bouchard).

 

However, Bouchard reached the winner’s circle when he won the non-betting split with Eagle Art M in a time of 2:01. Bouchard used the passing lane to collar the front-running Piano Boat, who was handled by Billy Dobson. The winner, owned by Frank Dettore Horse Racing, is an Art Major-Stasia’s Gift colt.

 

Jordan Stratton copped a division with Heartofstone Devie, in 2:02, over Sport Mode and driver Billy Dobson. Stratton and Heartofstone Devie teamed for their second consecutive victory after having scored a 2:00 New York Sire Stakes late-closer dead-heat triumph at Yonkers Raceway on Aug. 11. Rocco Manzi and Paul Tandimayer are the proud owners of the son of Totally Western-Jenna’s Stone.

 

And Bill Bailey won the other division with Steel Rein when they held-off the fast-closing and favored Beepo And Clem (Bouchard), in 2:01:1. The winner, a Teeth Of The Dog-Mindy’s Sister gelding, is owned by Nancy Swede and New York Standardbreds. (Monticello)