The glamour boy division did not disappoint on Monday, Aug. 3 at Monticello Raceway as Fragment roared to an uncontested seven length wire-to-wire win in 1:52.2, just missing the track record for three-year-old pacing colts in the lone $168,592 New York Sire Stakes division. 

Mighty Matt (Braxten Boyd) was having issues finding his gait warming up and never made the gate. Hunting Glory (Jim Taggart Jr.) briefly had the lead until Fragment took over past the opening quarter in :28, and from that point Fragment extended his lead at every station. At the half in :56.1 he had two lengths on the pack and extended the margin down the backside reaching the next panel in 1:24 on top by four lengths. 

Down the stretch he roared home a seven-length winner. Cooperstown Boy (Colin Kelly) was second and Hunting Glory was third. The mile was the fastest of the year at Monticello Raceway.

A son of Huntsville-The Show Returns, Fragment has now won two straight in New York Sire Stake. The millionaire pacer is trained by Per Engblom for owners Engblom Farm LLC of Wrightstown, N.J., Doug Sipple of Georgetown, De., and Peaceful Acre Farm of Lititz, Pa. He returned $2.10 to win.

Casper The Ghost (Brent Holland, $5.38) scored in the first heat of the $20,000 Excelsior Series with a wire-to-wire win in 1:55. The son of Huntsville-Ghostothepost is trained by co-owner Ray Schnittker, and co-owned by Ted Gewertz of New York and Ma3 Racing Stable of Wantagh, N.Y. During the race American Pastime choked down approaching the half and went off the course where he fell past the wire. Both horse and driver were Mike Merton were reported to be okay.

The 1-5 favourite in the second Excelsior division, Aries Blue Chip (Bartlett, $2.24) extended his win streak to four after his 12-length romp in 1:52.4. The son of American Ideal – Fox Valley Shaker is trained by Deborah Daguet for owner Forrest Bartlett of Shiloh, N.C.

The New York Sire Stakes will return to Monticello Raceway on Monday, Aug. 10 when two-year-old pacing fillies come to town. First post time is 12:10 p.m.

(With files from Monticello Raceway)