Scott Zeron manufactured a trio of New York Sire Stakes win Monday afternoon at Monticello Raceway, as the half-mile oval hosted three-year-old pacing colts and geldings.
On a day when being on the front end meant almost certain defeat, seven of the afternoon’s 13 races were won by the horse sitting the pocket at the top to the stretch.
Talk Show was a perfect example of this. Missile J left strong from outside in Race 2 and was used hard. He didn’t get to the lead until past the quarter for driver Tim Tetrick, and once he gained the front Talk Show was content to sit the pocket and brush past Missile J to score in 1:53.3. The son of Art Major–Lush Limbaugh is trained by Steve Elliot for owners Talk Show Partners LLC. It was Scott Zeron’s first of three wins on the afternoon’s card.
The second division saw Craftship track Artmagic the entire mile in the garden spot en route to prevailing in 1:53.2 - the afternoon’s fastest race of the day. The well-bred son of Art Major–Capri Hanover is trained by Tony Alagna for winning owns Crawford Partners, J. Fodera, N M Frank Stable and J. Sbrocco.
Manny was content to let Fine Diamond and JK Heaven Sent slug it out on the front end in the other division. JK Heaven Sent never saw the wood and was parked the entire mile. Manny, a son of American Ideal-Foolish Kiss, saved ground at the rail and rallied in the lane to score in 1:54.2 He is trained by Jessica Okusko and was driven to victory by Chris Lems.
(With files from Monticello Raceway)