On Monday, July 1, Monticello Raceway presents New York Sire Stakes action when two-year-old filly pacers take the stage. There are three divisions of the Excelsior Series on tap worth $20,000 USD per spilt and a lone $106,300 NYSS division.
The dash for the cash in the NYSS features some talented fillies. The early 5-2 morning line favourite is the post two starter Cowgirl Hanover, who debuted with a 1:57.4 win at Buffalo on June 19. Scott Zeron takes over the driving duties here on the Huntsville filly for trainer Jared Bako.
Send It Down Slim (PP4; 7-2; pictured above) was also a winner in her first NYSS contest for trainer Ray Schnittker at Buffalo in 1:58.3, Mark MacDonald will drive the daughter of Huntsville for owners Grozcona Racing Stable.
All Hail The Queen (PP3; 3-1) is making her pari-mutuel debut after a pair of impressive winning qualifying races at Monticello. The Courtly Choice freshman is looking to lower her personal best of 1:57.2 for trainer Shane Tritton and driver Jason Bartlett.
The card also offers three heats of Excelsior action in races two, four and nine.
In the first heat there are a pair of fillies that have won in both qualifying races. From the rail is The Perfume (Q2:00s-Bartlett). She has a pair of winning efforts at Vernon Downs as does Moonshine Express (Q2:00.1s–Zeron). On Cloud Nine scored in her Excelsior dash last start out in 1:59.3 at Buffalo for Schnittker.
Cervi has been installed as the favourite in her heat, race four. The Huntsville filly is dropping down in class for the team of Schnittker and MacDonald.
The final Excelsior race is a battle between Besta Brynn (post one) and Bulvillkidunotedna (post three). Besta Brynn earned an Excelsior Sire Stakes win in her last outing, a 2:00.1 score at Buffalo. The In The Arsenal lass is trained and driven by Ronald Houghtaling. The local horse, Bukvillkidunotedna will be driven by Jim Marohn Jr. for Crevani Farms. The American Ideal offspring finished second in her last outing at Buffalo in this class.
Post time for the nine-race card is 12:10 p.m.
(with files from Monticello)