The third stop on the New York Sire Stakes schedule for two-year-old colt pacers is Monticello Raceway, and the cream of the crop for New York-Bred rookies will be on hand this Monday (July 24). The afternoon card of 13 races features four divisions of regular NYSS each vying for a purse of $27,750, four Excelsior A divisions at $15,000 per and one split of the Excelsior B class with a compact foursome.
In the first NYSS division, carded as Race Three, Sheppard elimination winner Persist Blue Chip (Roll With Joe – Real Reflection) will start from post two for trainer Ron Burke and driver Matt Kakaley. Monticello's own Robert Lounsbury will send Rolling Sea into the fray, sporting a two-race win streak. The Roll With Joe colt is owned by William Damberg and Margaret Olmstead. Asiago Romano (PP3) also figures to be a threat.
Another Kakaley-Burke hopeful is Topville Olympian (PP2), who will look to get on the winning trail in the second division. The American Ideal – Our Sophia freshman cut the mile last week at Buffalo and was just nosed out in 1:56. Delightful Joe is well-versed on the half-mile oval, and comes into the race in razor-sharp form. The Monica Krist trainee was second in his first NYSS event last week, and will start from post five for driver Bill Dobson. Paprike Blue Chip will start from post three for trainer John Butenschoen and owners Harmony Oaks Racing Stable, Crawford Farms and VIP Internet Stable. Rumble comes into the race undefeated in two starts, but post position eight may thwart his ability to three-peat.
The third division -- Race Six -- showcases a field of speedy sidewinders. Casual Cool (PP3) was victorious last week at Buffalo in 1:56. The American Ideal – Sight To See colt, a $165,000 yearling purchase last fall, is owned by Ken Jacobs and is trained by Linda Toscano. Jason Bartlett will drive. Perry Simser is loaded for bear with Jersey Jim; he sports a speed badge of 1:56.3 taken in his prior start at Saratoga this year. The Artiscape – Jersey Pearl offspring will be driven by Monticello Raceway leading dash winner Jim DeVaux.
Race Seven features the final NYSS heat. Sammys Lightning (PP8) earned his first Sire Stake blanket last week at Buffalo with a 1:58 win. Jim Morrill Jr. will be in the bike for trainer Paul Jessop, who co-owns the Roll With Joe colt along with Our Three Sons Stable LLC. Mr Profeta and Real Rayenbow also figure strongly.
First race post time is 12:50 p.m.
(with files from Monticello)