The New York Sire Stakes made its first stop of the year Monday afternoon at Monticello Raceway, with three-year-old pacing colts and geldings in action.
Hickfromfrenchlick, the Ray Schnittker trained son of So Surreal started from post position 4 and went off as the 1-5 favourite in the six-horse field. Hickfromfrenchlick (Mark Macdonald) led the pack every step of the way, reeling off even rated fractions of :28.2, :58.1 and 1:28.1. American Mercury (Tim Tetrick) was the first to move down the backside as the outer flow developed with Stone Hanover right behind him.
It looked like Hickfromfrenchlick was going in for an easy layup but American Mercury was not done yet as the duo paced home strong, but Hickfromfrenchlick rebuffed American Mercury by a scant neck to score in 1:55. Stone Hanover finished third.
Hickfromfrenchlick is owned by Ray Schnittker, Nolamaura Racing LLC and TC Spatorico.
In the second heat of Sire Stakes, it was a race of the Majors. Major Blake left fast from post 4 from the gate but decided to take the two-hole tuck as Major March from the rail cut the steady fractions of :28.2, :58.1 and 1:26.4. Respect The Flag and Astarieangled out past the three-quarter pole maker in an effort to start tracking down Major Blake, but their efforts were thwarted as he coasted to a two-length victory in 1:55.
Major March is trained by soon to be Hall of Famer Linda Toscano, the Art Major–Mach You And Me colt is owned by Bay Pond Racing Stable of Malvern, PA. Major Blake was second and Astaire finished third.
The highly touted Reigning Deo highlighted the last heat of Sire Stakes in the sixth race, the Rock N Roll Heaven colt started from the rail and was the 3-5 favourite going to post. Dealers Table (PP4) and Jason Bartlett cut the soft fractions of :29.3, :59.3 and 1:28.1. Rollwithpapajoe (T. Buter) was the first to come off the rail approaching the half, he continued the overland route with no cover. Heading for home he rolled to an easy three-length win over Reigning Deo held on for second place followed by Covered Bridge.
Rollwithpapajoe is trained Jenn Bongiorno, The Roll With Joe colt is owned by Barbara Bongiorno, BK Lambos and D. Libertos.
The Excelsior A contest’s saw Shim (American ideal-Feel Life) leave the gate unhurried to rally over Caviart Cale in 1:58.3 for trainer/driver and part owner Pat Lachance.
In the second A class Surreal Art (So Surreal-Artcotic) was content to sit the pocket while Shanghai Bobby cut the mile. It was a good battle down the lane between the two but Surreal Art hung on for a neck victory over Shanghai Phil in 1:55.1
Sire stats for the afternoon showed American Ideal and So Surreal both had two winners. Jason Bartlett and Patrick Lachance each had a driving double on the chilly afternoon. $461,000 was wagered on the eight-race card for a per race average of $57,625.
(Monticello Raceway)