The three-year-old trotting colts come to Monticello Raceway on Monday, July 31 for two heats of New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) and three dashes of the Excelsior series, all competing for a total of $154,000 in purse money.
Trainer Ron Burke has a pair of entries in the first $57,000 division. Chapercraz (pictured above) was a winner last start at Buffalo Raceway in Sire Stakes competition. The son of Crazy Wow also boasts a pair of second-place finishes in the Zweig and the Yonkers Trot. He leads all starters with $238,152 in earnings this season, will hail from the rail, and will be driven by Joe Bongiorno.
The other entry is Sevecheetah. The son of Chapter Seven will start from post position four with Jim Devaux in the sulky.
Wild Bill Kelso took his two-year-old record last year at Monticello and prevailed in the other Sire Stakes division last start at Buffalo. Cecil Hanover (Mark MacDonald) has two Sire Stakes victories on his tally this season for trainer Ake Svanstedt and has banked $124,04 as a sophomore.
The second dash is carded as the eighth race and will have five behind the gate. The Gruffalo (Post 2) is looking to regain his two-year-old form from last season, where he earned $227,937. His best finish this season is a place performance in NYSS action at Vernon Downs. Mark Harder trains the son of Chapter Seven and Jason Bartlett will handle the driving chores.
Lucas Wallin is represented with Onion Gum, who will start from the rail. He is owned by the powerhouse SRF Stable, Order By Stable and Mario Mazza. He was second last start at Buffalo in this company and will be driven once again by Jordan Stratton.
There are two $20,000 Excelsior Series divisions also on the Monday card. In the third race, Espresso (Post 1) is the most travelled and has won the most purse money by being dual eligible in New York and Kentucky to assist in his $72,243 bankroll thus far this season. The son of Chapter Seven is trained by Julie Miller and will be driven by Tyler Miller. The local connection is Emperors Vacation, trained by Laura Aldrich, with Bruce Aldrich Jr. in the bike.
The sixth race is an eight-horse Excelsior contest highlighting Spending Crazy. The son of Crazy Wow is out of the Chapter Seven mare, Seven Eleven. He sports an impressive six-race win streak for trainer Benny Eggers. This is his first foray in Excelsior competition. Seven Sins (Post 7) has been consistent all season with three place finishes in this class. He is trained by Noel Daley and will be driven by Jordan Stratton.
First post time for the nine-race card is slated for 12:10. p.m.
(Monticello Raceway)