On the heels of the New York Sire Stakes Night of Champions, Monticello Raceway will host the NYSS consolations on Monday, October 16.
Post time for the 12-dash card will be 12:50 p.m. There will be eight races – one for each division of age, sex and gait. Each division will race for a purse of $50,000.
Two-Year-Old Filly Trot
Sevenbuyeleven (who will be driven by Tim Tetrick) earned her speed badge of 1:55.1 last week at the Red Mile while winning a heat of the International Stallion Stakes. She is the richest and fastest filly in the race. She will score from Post 4. Setntheworldonfire (PP6) has only finished off the board once this year for trainer Noel Daley. Andrew McCarthy will drive the Muscles Yankee lass.
Two-Year-Old Colt/Gelding Trot
Seven Iron (PP4 – Tim Tetrick) was impressive at the Red Mile in the Bluegrass Stakes, where he lowered his lifetime mark to 1:55.3. Equally as impressive is his overall record for the year (10 2-2-4 - $91,893). Cruising In Style (Jason Bartlett) has been in the thick of things all year on the NYSS circuit. He will start from the rail in the five-horse contest. My Lindy Winner (PP2 - Jim Morrill Jr.) will look to regain his early season form that saw him win at Saratoga Raceway in a brisk 1:56.4.
Two-Year-Old Filly Pace
Michelles Jazz is the 5-2 early favourite from the rail. She is scheduled to have Andrew McCarthy at her lines. American Myth (Jason Bartlett) will bring her two-race win streak in overnight company at the Meadows. She will score from Post 2 for trainer Ed Hart. Mink Pink (Eric Goodell) has been model of consistency with three seconds and two thirds in her last five starts, but she has yet to enter the winners circle this year. She will start from Post 4.
Two-Year-Old Colt/Gelding Pace
Persist Blue Chip (George Brennan) was a winner earlier in the year at Monticello Raceway in 1:58.1. In this company he will start from the six hole. Trump Nation has been very sharp lately. He has recorded two Excelsior ‘A’ wins and a place finish to his credit for trainer Andrew Harris. Aces In Heaven will score from the rail with John MacDonald in the bike and is the morning line favourite.
Three-Year-Old Filly Trot
Twice the bridesmaid in NYSS competition and heat winner of the Zweig, Ostrich Blue Chip (PP3) has been installed as the early favourite and will be driven by Scott Zeron. She has recorded five wins and two place finishes in her last seven starts. Busy Doing Nothing knows her way around a half-mile oval and will benefit from the rail. Ray Fisher will drive her.
Three-Year-Old Colt/Gelding Trot
The Trond Smedshammer stable will bring an entry consisting of Cresurrey (PP6) and Texican (PP7) for owner Purple Haze Stable LLC. Arch Credit is the morning line second favourite at 3-1. The son of Credit Winner has recently rounded into consistent form. The often-erratic Optimist Blue Chip will start from the rail with Tim Tetrick in the bike. Aces And Eights was impressive in his 1:55.4 Vernon qualifying mile last week for Dan Daley.
Three-Year-Old Filly Pace
World Apart (PP4 – Jason Bartlett) has been a model of consistency. Her potent resume includes three wins and earnings of over $140,000. Along the way she earned wins in the Simpson Stakes and the Lady Maud. She was second in her NYSS division at Monticello in September. Artrageous (Mark MacDonald) is looking to extend her win streak to three.
Three-Year-Old Colt/Gelding Pace
Outrajus Blue Chip will look to be in top form from Post 3 and has been installed the morning line favourite at odds of 5-2. Octane Blue Chip (Dan Dube – PP1) will also be in the hunt. Benjis Best was a NYSS winner at Monticello this summer in 1:53.4. He was a winner of the Empire Breeders Championship consolation in 1:50 at Tioga Downs. Post 8 may hamper his efforts on Monday.
Owners that plan on being attendance for the afternoon will be given a free food voucher for the new state of the art Sports Bar, a free program, along with a special gift. Any owner that plans on being in attendance should contact the race office at 845-794-4100 (Ext. 557 or 555) to make accommodations. The Monticello Harness Horseman’s Association in conjunction with Monticello Raceway and the Harness Breeders of New York State will have a BBQ in the paddock for participating horseman and grooms throughout the card.
(With files from Monticello Raceway)