On paper, Monday afternoon's New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) leg for two-year-old pacing fillies looked like a contest between the unbeaten Cowgirl Hanover, a winner in the last NYSS event, and All Hail The Queen, who was making her pari-mutuel debut after a pair of strong winning qualifier performances at Monticello Raceway. However, when the dust settled, Cowgirl Hanover was clearly the best on Monday to keep her perfect record in tact.
The betting public made All Hail The Queen (Jason Bartlett) the favourite in Monday's $145,616 NYSS leg at Monticello. Bronx Mixer (Matt Kakaley) was the first to the front from the inside post with Scott Zeron settling Cowgirl Hanover into the pocket around the turn while Send It Down Slim (Mark MacDonald) drove on to take over the top spot through a :28 first quarter and quickly opened up three lengths. The half went in :58.2 with the gap diminished and the field still in straight alignment until the backstretch when Zeron made his first-over move with Cowgirl Hanover and All Hail The Queen in tow as they hit the next panel in 1:28.1. Turning for home, All Hail The Queen tucked back to the pylons while Cowgirl Hanover drew alongside the leader and blew by in the stretch for the 1:56.2 victory. Bronx Mixer chased 1-1/2-lengths behind for the runner-up role with Send It Down Slim completing a 2-3 finish for trainer Ray Schnittker. All The Queen finished back in fourth.
Cowgirl Hanover (Huntsville-Code One Hanover) is now a perfect two-for-two for trainer Jared Bako and owner Ny Seb Inc. The win puts her atop of the divisional leaderboard in the NYSS. The filly's next NYSS start is at Yonkers Raceway on July 11.
In Excelsior Series action, driver Greg Merton and trainer Blake MacIntosh teamed up for a double with a pair of maiden-breaking fillies. They scored first with Courtly Maiden (Courtly Choice-Maid West) in 2:00.2 and then with Moms Point (American Ideal-Bullet Point) in 2:01.3. Hot off his Messenger Stakes win over the weekend, Travis Alexander watched his Blind Date Hanover (Huntsville-Blind Ambition) win at first asking in 1:59.2 to take the other $27,397 division with Matt Kakaley in the bike.
(With files from Monticello Raceway)