NYSS season begins at Monticello Raceway

Monticello, N.Y. – The 2023 New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) makes its first stop at Monticello Raceway on Monday, June 19, when the three-year-old harness racing pacing fillies take the stage, racing for over $172,000 in purses.

The nine-race program features three NYSS races, with each split worth $37,833, and three divisions of the Excelsior Series, with a purse of $20,000 per event.

The first Sire Stakes race is carded as Race 1 and goes to post with a scant field of five. B On The Hunt (Huntsville) will score from post 4. In recent Sire Stakes competition, the filly has had a place and a show finish; she will be driven by Jordan Stratton for trainer Cory Stratton. Kissin Joe (Macdonald) starts from the rail for trainer Andrews Stafford.

The next heat has the top two point earners in their respective division. Leading the way is Turn The Charm (Huntsville).

Starting from the rail, Turn On The Charm has been perfect thus far this season, recording Sire Stakes wins recently at Buffalo and Saratoga and has banked over $68,000. She is trained by Bruce Clark and will be driven by Marcus Miller.

Southwind Bella (PP3) was a winner last start in Saratoga. In this company, she recorded a stellar win at Chester when she torched the oval and earned a new speed badge of 1:50.2. Jack Pelling will drive for trainer Brett Pelling. Hunting Season (PP4) was one of the better fillies from last year, earning $114,000 during her freshman season for trainer Ray Schnittker. Mark Macdonald will drive.

The final dash of Sire Stakes is Race 8. Earthwindfire (American Ideal) will start from post 5 and has been installed the morning line favorite. She was a winner last year at Monticello in this class. In her lone pari-mutuel start this year after a pair of qualifiers, she was victorious in her division of Sire Stakes at Saratoga in 1:53.2. The sophomore is trained by Brett Pelling and will be driven by Jack Pelling.

The co-favorite is True Blue Hanover (American Ideal), who will start from the rail. She finished second last start in Sire Stakes to Turn The Charm. John Blazer trains the filly, and she will be driven by Jason Bartlett.

For complete Monday race entries, click here.

by Kimberly Winston, for Monticello Raceway