Track record set in Excelsior Stake at Monticello

Monticello, NY (July 30, 2024) – After winning a qualifying race last week at Monticello in 2:00, after making breaks in two consecutive races, no one expected the track record performance from Groovn Will who got his act together this Monday afternoon July 29 in a $20,000 Excelsior Stakes harness racing event, setting a new record of 1:54.1 in breaking a 5-year-old track record.

Groovn Will (Roll With Joe – Who Moved The Rock) a $12,000 Goshen yearling Sale pupil set the new track Record for 2-Year-Old Pacing Colts with Greg Merton in the bike in a 1:54.1- $15.80 score over Invictus (J. Stratton) Eclipsing the old record of 1:54.3 set by Melodies Major in 2018. Greg Merton and Blake Macintosh took both halves of the early daily double with wins in the Excelsior Stakes and a NYSS win.

Groovn Will was the first on top until Southpaw (Jimmy Whittemore) who found himself parked and couldn’t find a hole, and decided to go for the lead, getting it just at the opening panel of :27.3 and was still on top at the next panel in :56.3. 

Approaching the 5/8 marker Greg Merton pulled Groovin Will and was first over at the next panel in 1:25.3. Turning for home he had a two-length lead, the 2/5 favorite Invictus took a shot at the leader to no avail and was rebuffed as Groovin Will tripped the timer in 1:54.1.  

GROOVIN WILL REPLAY

The 2nd race was the $51,500 first division of the NYSS for two-year-old pacing colts and Courts On Fire (Courtly Choice) with driver Greg Merton stole the show again as he took the race favorite three-wide at the three-quarters, parked out on the final turn but yet had enough in the tank to win by two and one-quarter lengths in 1:55.3. Holt Hanover (Mark MacDonald) was second with pacesetter Meltdown Monti (Tyler Buter).

Trainer Blake Macintosh co-owns Courts On Fire with Hutt Racing Stable, Tim Kelmencic and Daniel Plouffe. He paid $2.70 to win.

COURTS ON FIRE REPLAY

The landscape changed in the 6th race second division worth $51,500 with the scratch of the undefeated Fast Choice, Silent Weapon (Huntsville – DD Delightful) scoring from post position 3, finished second to him in his last start, this week he enjoyed a pocket journey behind Oogleville (M. Macdonald) until the ¾ pole, Matt Kakaley popped the Travis Alexander trainee out of the hole and kicked in the after burner to pull away and motor home a strong 6 length romp in 1:54.4 and earned his first pari-mutuel win for owner Fiddlers Creek Stables LLC of Naples Florida.

SILENT WEAPON REPLAY

In Excelsior Action, the 1/5 favorite Courts On Fire (Courtly Choice – Ashlee’s Spitfire) scored in 1:55.3- $2.70 for the Merton – Macintosh duo. Digging For Gold (Huntsville – Gold Orchid N) went wire to wire and picked up his maiden win with a 1:57.1 – $5.00 score for trainer George Ducharme.  Trainer Nicholas Vamvilis picked up his first career Stakes win as a trainer when his Seafood Neighneigh (Huntsville – Seafood Missy) toured the oval in a lifetime best of 1:57.3 with Jordan Stratton in the sulky. Spirit Of Freedom (American Ideal – Face To Face) outsprinted Fun King (G. Merton) and took the final dash in 1:57.3, he was driven by Tyler Buter for trainer John Butenschoen.

It was the second track record set this season during New York Sire Stakes competition, Tyler Buter and Kyle DiBenedetto had a pair of driving wins.

New York Sire Stakes returns to Monticello Raceway next Monday when 3-Year-Old Filly Pacers take the stage, Post Time 12:10.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting Results

From Monticello Raceway