Racing fans won’t have to wait long to see Summertime Lea, arguably the best sophomore pacing filly in the New York Sire Stakes program this season, as Jim Morrill Jr. is scheduled to jump up behind her in Monticello Raceway’s first race on Wednesday, September 11.
Five fillies are scheduled to contest Summertime Lea’s division. The other splits -- which each carry roughly $52,000 in purses -- have been carded as Race 5 and Race 8 on the 13-dash program. The interesting undercard features four $12,700 splits for three-year-old pacing fillies in the Excelsior Series.
Summertime Lea has won seven of 10 starts this year and has bankrolled over $215,000 this year for owners the Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Buscemi, P.A. Baldachino and E. Smith. Summertime Lea will start from the five hole on Wednesday.
In the second division, Sir Lehigh Z Tam has received the odds-maker’s nod from Post 2. The daughter of Art Major-Moss Blue Chip comes into the contest off a 1:54.3 triumph in the NYSS at Tioga Downs and will be driven by Pat Lachance. However, the may have a tussle from the Bobby Siegelman-trained Cheyenne Miriam. Monticello native George Brennan will drive the daughter of Bettors Delight-Ailbecca when they start from Post 4.
The Melissa Beckwith-trained Springforth is the early favourite in the final split. The meet’s leading driver, Bruce Aldrich Jr. will be driving. The filly’s best effort was a stunning 1:53.2 mile while winning a NYSS leg at Batavia Downs on August 21.
(With files from Monticello)