June 23 has been circled on many trainers’ calendars since the beginning of the year, as it marks the first New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) event of the year for two-year-old trotting fillies.

Twelve fillies — all making pari-mutuel debuts — were entered in the NYSS, forcing two splits each worth $53,500 USD with nine entries in the $20,000 USD Excelsior Stakes.

In the first division of NYSS, Nezuko Kamado S (PP3) gets the nod as the 5-2 morning line choice. The Chapter Seven filly, trained by Marcus Melander and will be driven by Brett Beckwith, scored in her first baby race in 1:59.4 — last quarter in :27.3. Shoppin For Gucci (PP4, 3-1) finished second in both of her qualifying outings.  Also by Chapter Seven, this $472,973 yearling is trained by Annie Stoebe and will be driven by Todd McCarthy.

Overalls (PP1) has been installed the 5-2 morning line favorite in the second division, carded as race seven. The smooth-gaited Devious Man filly has been impressive in both of her qualifiers for trainer Cory Stratton and driver Jordan Stratton. Jeff Gregory will drive Sharp Seven (PP4) after winning two Vernon Downs qualifiers for trainer George Ducharme. 

The lone dash of the $20,000 USD Excelsior Stake has a field of nine with the George Ducharme entry of Elqueen (PP4, Jason Bartlett) and Makeittothebell (PP3, Beckwith) as co-favourites at 5-2 on the morning line.

First post time is 12:10 p.m.

(with files from Monticello)