In the past, Monticello Raceway has had full wagering cards featuring only trotters, full cards of only pacers, and a full program of amateur races, but not until July 4 did the 'Mighty M' have a complete race card featuring just two-year-old pacing colts and geldings --- and most of which were making their pari-mutuel debuts.
Sandwiched in an unusual time slot between 5:30 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. were six divisions of the New York Sire Stakes and five splits in the Excelsior Series, followed later by the track's 45th annual fireworks display.
On the race track, the action was sparkling, and every NYSS division was in 1:57.4 or faster. Thirty Two Red’s 1:56 triumph with his trainer, driver and co-owner Ray Schnittker was the fastest of the evening. The son of Bettors Delight dug in late and scored a 1:56 victory.
With many of the co-owners around for the picture presentation, Schnittker explained his optimism for Thirty Two Red.
“He’s a really good colt and he might be the one to get me over the top,” a smiling Schnittker told everyone within ear shot. “I think they’re gonna hear a lot from him this year.”
But Schnittker’ colt wasn’t the only one that impressed. In the first $24,248 division, driver Jeff Gregory and his Art Major charge Im The Real Major scored an impressive one-length victory in 1:57.4. The accomplishment left Gregory had a grin from ear to ear. “He’s a little guy but he’s real handy and he does whatever you ask of him,” Gregory said. “He’s got a real big motor.”
The other NYSS winners were Scalped (1:57), Swift As A Shadow (1:56.4), Americasgottalent (1:57.1) and Tijuana Party (1:57.4).
The winners of the Excelsior Series splits were LaRussa StL (1:58.2), Clustercuss (1:59.2), Scirocco Billy (2:00.3), Ten Cents A Shine (2:01) and Not My First Rodeo (2:02).
(With files from Monticello)