Bartlett dominates Big Apple Finals with three wins

Vernon Downs played host for the Big Apple Finals for all harness racing classes of 2-year-olds on Saturday (October 11).  Driver Jason Bartlett drove three of the four winners as each class raced for $250,000.

Fragment (Bartlett) was dominant in the Big Apple Final for pacing colts & geldings.

Fragment ($2.30) was first to the quarter in :25.4.  Lakewood Nick (Yannick Gingras) came first-up to challenge heading down the backstretch.  Fragment led to the half in :55.2 and cruised to three quarters in 1:24.0.

Second place finisher Hunting Glory (Jordan Stratton) went all out after the leader as they made the turn for home.  Fragment then took over like a rocket leaving everyone else in his dust as he won in a lifetime best of 1:50.0.  Ghost Hunt (Ray Schnttker) finished third.

FRAGMENT REPLAY

Fragment is a colt by Huntsville-The Show Returns.  Trained by Per Engblom for owners Engblom Stable, D Sipple, and Peacefull Acre Farm.  It was his eighth career win.

Spencer Hanover (Bartlett) smashes track record in the Big Apple Final for trotting colts & geldings.

Favorite, AI (Yannick Gingras) went on a break before the start.  Twin B Seven Sins (Tyler Buter) led to the quarter in :26.2.  He then went on a break heading to the half as Read The Room (Dylan Huckabone-Miller) then took over the lead and was first to the half in :54.2.  Titans Mischief (Matt Kakaley) came first-up heading around the final turn.  Read The Room led to three quarters in 1:25.4.

As they reached the stretch Spencer Hanover ($6.92) made his move three-wide blowing right on by getting his first career win and to set the track record for all 2-year-old trotters in 1:52.3.  Who’s Eyes Blues (Brett Beckwith) finished second.  Titans Mischief had to settle for third.

SPENCER HANOVER REPLAY

Spencer Hanover is a colt by Chapter Seven-Secret Passion.  He is owned by Jeff Snyder and Arthur Pronti while trained by Marcus Melander.

Long Shore (Yannick Gingras) holds on to capture the Big Apple Final for pacing fillies.

Liberty Style (Bartlett) was first to the quarter in :26.2.  Long Shore ($5.44) came flying first-over heading down the backstretch.  Liberty Style had a short lead to the half in :55.4.  Long Shore led to three quarters in 1:23.3.

As they entered the stretch third place finisher Odds On Monetary (Ridge Warren) came first-up to challenge.  Second place finisher Existential (Matt Kakaley) made a late bid but Long Shore dug in and won in 1:51.4.

LONG SHORE REPLAY

Long Shore is a filly by American Ideal-Butchie Beach.   Joe Pavia Jr. trains for owners Vince Ferriero Jr., Dominic Pavia, Eric Prevost, and Lon Frocione.  It was her seventh career win.

Nezuko Kamado S (Bartlett) is impressive in the Big Apple Final for trotting fillies.

Storybook Love (Todd Ratchford) took over the lead and was first to the quarter in :27.0.  Nezuko Kamado S ($5.06) then took over command and led to the half in :56.2.  She controlled things to three quarters in 1:26.1.

Second Place finisher Storybook Love and third place finisher Sharp Seven (Jeff Gregory) went all out after the leader but Nezuko Kamado S was too strong as she equaled the track record for 2-year-old trotting fillies in 1:54.0.

NEZUKO KAMADO REPLAY

Nezuko Kamado S is a filly by Chapter Seven-Zefira Kronos It.  She is owned by Courant Inc. and trained by Marcus Melander.  Melander swept the trot finals.   Nezuko Kamado S has won five times.

Jason Bartlett drove four winners altogether.  Leon Bailey drove five winners to the winner’s circle.

Vernon Downs returns to live racing on Friday (October 17) with a post time of 5:05 p.m.

For more information go to www.vernondowns.com.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by John Horne, for Vernon Downs