Monday afternoon’s (July 9) 11-race program at Monticello Raceway consists entirely of New York-sired two-year-old trotting colts and geldings, with a quartet of New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) events sharing the spotlight.
In the $27,750 first division (race four), Horns For Three seeks back-to-back pari-mutuel wins after winning a NYSS event at Buffalo Raceway last week. Jason Bartlett will drive the son of Credit Winner from post 3 for trainer Ed Hart. Among his foes are Marcus Melander trainee Gimpanzee, a $170,000 yearling purchase by Courant Inc. and SRF Stable, who will make his career debut with Brian Sears in the bike after trotting a 1:55 qualifying mile at The Meadowlands; and the Purple Haze Stable’s Winnerup, who will be driven by trainer Trond Smedshammer after flashing :27 last-quarter speed in his lone baby race.
In the second division (race five), also carrying a purse of $27,750, Jules Siegel’s Chapter Fashion (post 3) and driver Jordan Stratton will be looking to make a statement. The Jim Campbell trainee scored back-to-back qualifying wins, including a six-length romp in 1:59.2 in her last. He will square off against a fellow son of Chapter Seven in Keystone Cash (post 2), who will be driven by trainer Jimmy Takter after a second-place finish in his career debut.
A pair of Sire Stakes winners at Buffalo Raceway in Certify and Xcuseme will square off in the $27,250 third split (race six). Certify, a 2:05.1 winner in western New York, will be driven by Claude Huckabone Jr. from post 4 for owner-trainer Earl Sauve. Starting right next to him is Xcuseme, a 2:06.3 winner at Buffalo last time out. Trainer John Stark Jr. will drive the son of RC Royalty.
In the $27,750 final heat (race seven), morning-line favourite Chip Chip Conway will try to make amends for a break in stride in his Buffalo outing. Jim Taggart Jr. drives the son of Conway Hall from post 1 for Gary Messenger. At the other end of the gate, Fashion For Credit looks to build on a narrow miss for the Siegel-Campbell connection. Jason Bartlett will drive the son Credit Winner from post 8.
Post time for the Monday card at Monticello is 12:50 p.m.
(with files from Monticello Raceway)