The entry box at Monticello Raceway was overflowing with two-year-old pacing fillies when Race Secretary Eric Warner drew for the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) divisions set for Monday, July 3. When the dust settled, he had four splits of Sire Stakes, with each division racing for a purse of $26,250, and four $20,000 divisions of the Excelsior Stakes.
In the first NYSS division, So Well Dressed (Jordan Stratton) will be seeking her second Sire Stakes win after winning the inaugural Sire Stakes this season at Buffalo Raceway, taking her division in 1:57.2. She will start from the outside at post six for trainer Chuck Connor Jr. Hunting Hula (PP4) finished second in her recent performance in this company. She will be driven by Patrick Lachance. Tempville (Tyler Buter) has two winning qualifiers under her belt for trainer George Ducharme and will score from post two.
The second split in the sixth race has two starters with unblemished pari-mutuel records. Bronx Barista (PP4) also sports a perfect chart with a trio of winning performances with a record of 1:56.1 and will be driven by Mark MacDonald, regular driver for Ray Schnittker. The favourite, Camerican, was a winner in her NYSS debut at Buffalo Raceway in 1:58.2. The Ron Burke-trained daughter of American Ideal will score from post seven and will be driven by Jordan Stratton. Villannah (PP2) sports a pair of winning qualifiers at Vernon Downs. The daughter of Hunstville, an $87,000 yearling, hails from the George Ducharme barn and will be driven by Tyler Buter.
Race 8 is the third division of Sire Stakes with six starters. Blue Point (PP5) has been installed the morning line favourite. She was second last start in Buffalo in the same class for trainer Ed Hart. Jason Bartlett will drive. Im A Believer (PP2) will be driven by Jordan Stratton.
The final split in Race 10 features Belle Brielle (PP2), a Sire Stakes winner at Buffalo in 1:59.3 for trainer Bruce Clarke. She will be driven by Marcus Miller. Golden Krisp is the most seasoned filly of the bunch with four outings — three qualifiers and a start — under her belt. The John Berger-trained freshman will score from post three with Jordan Stratton in the sulky.
First post time for the 11-race card is 12:10 p.m.
(Monticello)