Three-year-old trotting colts and geldings were out in full force during Monday afternoon’s nine-race card at Monticello Raceway, with NYSS divisions on tap in addition to a number of divisions of the Excelsior contested.
The first division of the NYSS saw Winnerup rally to a 1:57.4 score for trainer/driver Trond Smedshammer. Sitting last at the half, the son of Credit Winner-Up Front Hotsey chipped away in the back half of the $37,500 affair and ultimately used a :28.1 closing quarter to prevail by 1-1/2 lengths over Our White Knight. Livinonthedash was third.
“He was well in hand today,” said Smedshammer. “I never even pulled the ear plugs today.”
Purple Haze Stables of Fairport, NY owns the four-time winner who is just shy of $75,000 in career earnings.
Mr Vicktor went wire-to-wire in his $38,200 division for driver Tyler Buter and trainer Jennifer Lappe. He carved out fractions of :28.3, :59 and 1:28.2 before kicking home in :28.4 to win by 2-1/4 lengths over Chip Chip Conway in 1:57.1. Captain Krupnik took home the show dough.
The win improved this year’s record to 4-1-0 from five trips to the track. Robert Santagata, Jennifer Lappe, Diamond Pride LLC and Joe Lee share ownership on the son of RC Royalty-Hawaiian Vicky. He’s banked $122,936 to date.
Travel Winner won as he pleased in his $38,200 division for driver Tyler Buter and trainer Richard ‘Nifty’ Norman.
The son of Credit Winner-Travelin Supergirl sat third to the half before coming first-over on the way to the three-quarter pole. Lights Come On laid down panels of :29, :59.4 and 1:29, but Travel Winner used a :29.1 final frame to post the one-length score over Lights Come On in 1:58.2. Cavill Hanover rounded out the Trifecta ticket.
Jim Fleming of Bayfield, Ont. owns the four-time winner who lifted his lifetime earnings to $81,869 with the win.