Freshman pacing fillies will highlight the 12-race card at Monticello Raceway on Monday (July 25). The card features two divisions of Sire Stakes, with each dash worth $52,5000, five $15,000 divisions of the Excelsior A Series, and two $6,500 splits of the Excelsior B class.
The unbeaten Vivians Dream has been installed the 8-5 morning line favourite in the first heat of NYSS, which is carded as Race 9. She sports an impressive undefeated resume, with three wins in Sire Stakes company. She has wins at Buffalo and Saratoga, and in her last start at Tioga Downs, she scored in 1:52.1. The $50,000 American Ideal yearling purchase will start from Post 3 for trainer Cory Mumford. Hall of Famer Wally Hennessey will drive. Ray Schnittker trains the co-favourite Hunting Season (PP6), who earned a Sire Stakes win at Saratoga in 1:55.1 in her last outing with Mark MacDonald in the bike.
The second heat, Race 11, is a six-horse event. Earthwindfire will start from Post 6. Jack Pelling will drive the American Ideal lass for trainer Brett Pelling. She finished second last time out at Tioga Downs in Sire Stakes competition. The co-favourite, Kissin Joe, will start from Post 3 for trainer Andrew Stafford. She has a pair of show finishes in this class.
The next Sire Stakes event is Monday, August 1, when two-year-old male trotters visit the Catskill Mountains oval.
First post time for Monday is 12:10 p.m.
(Monticello)