Tyler Buter drove four New York Sire Stakes winners on the Monday (Aug. 8) card at Monticello Raceway, including two-year-old trotting fillies Ruth Honig and Woolco in the main events.
In the first division of NYSS racing, for a purse of $52,500, Buter went down the road to score in 1:58.3 aboard Ruth Honig ($5.50).
Starting from post six, the $95,000 daughter of Chapter Seven made the front at the :28.4 opening panel after she was briefly parked out. Approaching the half, Midwind Success (Jordan Stratton) and the favourite, Bourbon On Ice (John Stark Jr.), took to the outside, passing that marker in :59.2 with Ruth Honig still showing the way. Midwind Success had almost collared Ruth Honig as they passed the third quarter stanza in 1:29.1, but Ruth Honig didn’t give an inch and kept her at bay to win by two lengths, with Seven Bridges Road (Mark Whitcroft) finishing third from second-over.
It was a new lifetime mark and second win of the season from three starts for the Lucas Wallin trainee, who is owned by Shermay Stables of Chester, New Jersey.
Woolco ($4.30) delivered as the favourite in the second division, worth $53,500, lowering her mark to 1:58.2 in rein to Buter.
Mari (Jack Killeen) left from post five and made her way to the top just past the opening panel in :29.1 but Woolco retook the lead approaching the half in :59.1. Destinys Darling (Wally Hennessey) was making a big move down the backside but broke stride as Woolco took them to the three-quarter pole in 1:29.2. Defiant Lady (Jason Bartlett) took her best shot at the leader going into the paddock turn but was rebuffed as Woolco went on to win by three lengths. The pocket-sitting Mari finished second with Defiant Lady taking the show spot.
Woolco is a homebred son of Chapter Seven owned and trained by Robert Krivelin (Hero Stables) of Goshen, New York. The win was her second (consecutive) from three career starts.
Winners of the Excelsior A series were: Dazzlin Dolly ($51.50), a daughter of Crazy Wow who broke her maiden in 2:02.3 for trainer Scott Mongeon and was driven to victory by Brian Cross; and Laurens Hoopla ($10.20), a daughter of EL Titan who made a trip to the winner’s circle after her 5-3/4-length win in 2:00.2 with Buter driving for trainer George Ducharme.
Buter also drove the Crazy Wow filly EEE Z Wow to a 2:03.2 triumph in the lone Excelsior B event for trainer Rob Harmon.
In regular racing action, Special Achiever ($2.80) lived up to her name, winning her ninth consecutive race for trainer Chris Petrelli. Mike Merton drove the 1:55 winner in the finale.
New York Sire Stakes returns on Monday, Aug. 15 with the three-year-old trotting fillies in the spotlight.
(With files from Monticello Raceway)