The road to Vernon Downs and a chance to compete in the $1.4 million Sire Stakes finals await the highest money earners in each of the eight divisions of New York Sire Stakes events. During the afternoon of Monday, August 17 at Monticello Raceway, the journey for two-year-old pacing fillies continues with three divisions going postward for $150,000 in combined purses.
The third of the splits (Race 6) on the 13-dash card is arguably the toughest of the three. Nearly every filly in the eight-horse field has a sub-2:00 record, with the fastest a 1:53:3 clocking belonging to Bill and Jack Heinz’s Shaky Hanover, a daughter of Bettors Delight--Shady Past. The winner of four of six starts this year — and its last three in a row — will have hot-handed youngster Matt Kakaley at the controls and start from Post 2. Shaky Hanover she can expect stiff competition from Lady Major and Galimony.
Ray Schnittker’s Bark Like A Dog, which is coming in off three consecutive wins, is the favorite in the first $49,429 division which will go as Race 1. The Bettors Delight--Poodle Party youngster is owned by Schnittker in partnership with Ted Gewertz and Charlie Iannazzo and will leave from Post 6.
Matt Kakaley will drive the favourite, Sand Song, in the second division (Race 4). The daughter of Bettors Delight--Chipmunks Can Sing won a NYSS event at Vernon Downs in 1:54:3 on August 1.
First race post time for the August 18 card will be 1:10 p.m.
(With files from Monticello)