Monticello Raceway featured the cream of the crop of New York's three-year-old pacing colts on Monday, July 24 in a pair of $60,300 New York Sire Stakes divisions, which went to repeat winners Thunder Hunter Joe and Goldin Greatness.
Prior to the first division of the New York Sire Stakes, the clouds opened up and doused the track during a quick, five-minute rainfall.
As the gate opened, Hurrikane Hunter (Dan Dube) made the front in a 28-second opening quarter, while Huntinthelastdolar (Scott Zeron), the 4-5 favourite, worked hard on the outside to take over the lead. After putting in a few extra steps in the paddock turn, he finally cleared just before the half-mile station in :56.2. As he rounded the first turn down the backside, he was putting in steps again and eventually broke stride. Zeron and Dube did a masterful job in not creating a pile-up behind them. This cleared the way for Thunder Hunter Joe (Tyler Buter) as he was on the move from fourth and in high gear before the front-end disturbance.
Thunder Hunter Joe hit the next panel in 1:24.4. Coming off the last turn, Metal Man (Matt Kakaley) took aim at the leader briefly, but to no avail, as Thunder Hunter Joe paced away by 5-1/2 lengths to win in 1:52.1. The winning time was just one tick off the track record held by For A Better Time. Metal Man finished second, followed by Duval Street (Jason Bartlett).
Nick Devita trains Thunder Hunter Joe, a son of Huntsville out of the Artsplace mare, Thunder Angel. The win was his second in Sire Stakes action this year and pushed his seasonal earnings $125,766 for owners David Hamm, Glenn Phillips, Christopher Giaccio and Devita Racing Stable. He paid $5.40 to win as the second wagering choice.
In the second division, American Fling (Mark MacDonald) was first to the front but his lead was short-lived as I Was Tricked (Scott Zeron) popped out of the two-hole to take over the lead before the opening quarter mark in :27.3. The positions remained unchanged after a soft half in :57.
Down the backside the second time around, the 1-2 betting favourite Goldin Greatness (Jason Bartlett) was the first to pull and he unleashed a wicked brush to the front, hitting the next station in 1:25.1 in tandem with I Was Tricked. Goldin Greatness uncorked a final quarter of :27.1 to draw clear for the 1:52.2 victory, with I Was Tricked finishing 1-3/4 lengths behind in second. Taste of Honey (Jordan Stratton) was third.
Goldin Greatness earned his second consecutive Sire Stakes victory of the season, boosting his annual income to $91,257 for trainer Chris Ryder, who co-owns the Huntsville-Bet On Hill gelding with William Ezzo, Evan Katz and Joe Sbrocco And Jaf Racing. He paid $3.10 to win.
Three $20,000 Excelsior Series divisions were won by Demon Boy (Luke Hanners) in 1:55.1 for trainer Kevin Reynolds Jr.; That Dog Will Hunt (Tyler Buter) in 1:54.2 for trainer Mike Simons; and Johnny Sack (Mark MacDonald) in 1:56.1 for trainer Ray Schnittker.
Monday's eight-race card handled $533,334, with a per race average handle of $66,625.
New York Sire Stakes action returns next Monday, July 31 when the three-year-old trotting colts visit the famed Catskill Mountain half-mile oval. Post time at 12:10 p.m.
(With files from Monticello Raceway)