To use a phrase from the great race caller Carl Becker, “They are coming from everywhere.” That was the case for the draw when a total of 61 colts were entered for the glamour-boy division of the New York Sire Stakes. The races will take place this coming Monday (June 6) at Monticello Raceway.
The three-year-old pacing colts in question are set to face off this coming Monday (June 6). The 13-dash card will feature nine races full of New York-bred sophomores. The afternoon card will feature three NYSS division and each split will carry a purse of $39,900. There will also be four divisions of the Excelsior ‘A’ class (with purses of $15,000) and two races of the Excelsior ‘B’ class ($6,600).
The first division for NYSS colts will be Race 2, where recent Art Rooney Pace winner Missile J will start from Post 7 for trainer Linda Toscano. The American Ideal colt was a $100,000 yearling purchase for owners KJ Stable LLC and Purple Haze Stable LLC. Missile J was unraced at two, but the late bloomer has won three races in a row. Tim Tetrick is scheduled to driver. Talk Show (PP1) will also be looking to extend his win streak. The son of Art Major is trained by Steve Elliott. The colt won in 1:51.1 two starts ago where he paced his final quarter in :25.4 at the Meadowlands Racetrack.
In race 8, Art Major colt Autotune Hanover will start from Post 2 for driver Jason Bartlett. The colt has yet to return to his two-year-old form. He won more than $200,000 last season and finished third in his NYSS Finals at Yonkers. Craftship continues to show improvement with each start (he finished second in his last start at Yonkers Raceway with a :26:4 final quarter). Carlos Danger will be looking to break his maiden in what will be his 13th career start.
The final NYSS race of the card will be Race 10, which will feature a purse of $39,900. The seven-horse field will feature Fine Diamond (PP3, Matt Kakaley). The Ron Burke trainee had his four-race win streaked snapped last week. JK Heaven Sent (PP4) finished second at Pocono Downs in his last start and was individually timed in 1:50:4.
The four heats of the Excelsior ‘A’ class have been programmed as Races 5, 6, 7 and 9. The Excelsior ‘B’ class dashes have been slated as Race 1 and 4.
New York Sire Stake action will also be featured on Monday, June 30 when two-year-old trotting colts come to town.
(With files from Monticello Raceway)