On Thursday, July 11, Monticello Raceway became 'Trot-Town USA,' at least for a day, as 11 of the 14 races on the card were for trotters (eight of them were for two-year-olds). Three of the freshmen trots were New York Sire Stakes events, while the other five were in the Excelsior Series.
Although a good number of the juvenile trotters were remarkable on the racetrack, there certainly was huge discrepancy between the NYSS and the Excelsior Series entrants --- and the trainers of each knew the difference and entered their colts accordingly. The NYSS eligibles stuck out far and away.
In only his second lifetime start, Flyhawk El Durado was victorious in 2:00.3. The Lindy Treaty, who also raced for only the second time in his career, remained unbeaten after having stopped the clock in 2:00.4. The most impressive winner on the card was arguably the first-time starter CrazzyCrazzy, who won in 1:59.1.
Trained by Casie Coleman and driven by Jim Morrill Jr., CrazzyCrazzy, a son of Crazed-Striking Vintage, went immediately for the lead. He never relinquished the lead and was well in hand when he won by two lengths over Mister Anson and driver Jimmy Doherty.
In the winner’s circle, Morrill was asked about the colt’s ability. Morrill is usually one that doesn’t say too much. Morrill blurted out, “He’s a killer.”
Owned by the West Wins Stable, Adriano Sorella, and Andrew Harris, CrazzyCrazzy paid $8.40 for a successful Win wager.
The undercard featured five $12,700 Excelsior Series events for juvenile trotters. EJs Disco Hall, Dappa Rappa, Cash Me Out, Bosak and Commissioner Daley were the winners.
Despite the 11 trots on the card and eight of them being for two-year-olds, the card still handled $801,667 in wagers.
(With files from Monticello)