2YOs to battle in $140,000 NYSS at Monticello

Monticello, N.Y. – All of the hype throughout the winter and spring will become a reality Monday (June 26) at Monticello Raceway, when this year’s freshman crop of harness racing pacing colts makes their pari-mutuel debut. They will compete for more than $140,000 in purses, with many of the sidewinders making their first start on a half mile oval.

Going to post are two heats of New York Sire Stakes events, worth $53,500 and $54,500, and two divisions of the Excelsior Stakes, competing for $20,000 per dash.

The first Sire Stakes race is carded as Race 2. Howlenthehills (American Ideal) scored in a qualifier at Pocono Downs in 1:55.4. He is trained by Travis Alexander and will be driven by Matt Kakaley. Scootermagrooter (PP3 – Brandon Parker) has won in back-to-back performances at Vernon Downs for trainer Benny Eggers. Jones Hanover (PP2 – Jordon Stratton) sports two show finishes in recent outings. The most expensive yearling of the group was a $100,000 Harrisburg purchase and is trained by Jenn Bongiorno.

The second division sports a handful of speedy youngsters. Travis Alexander has two separate entries, both straddled with outside posts. Avenger Force (Huntsville) from post 8 was a winner last start out at Chester in 1:55.3. He will be driven by Matt Kakaley.

Bruce Aldrich Jr. will drive Ideal Par (PP7) after taking a mark of 1:59.4 in his first baby race. George Ducharme, who has always enjoyed much success at Monticello, is represented by Ameritic. The son of Huntsville is owned by Purple Haze Stable and was a wire-to-wire winner at Vernon Downs in 1:56.3. He will be driven by Tyler Buter.

The first Excelsior stake has some local connections. Spectacular Plus, the Gary Messenger-trained son of Huntsville, will score from post 7 with Jim Taggart Jr. He was second in his lone qualifier at Chester.

Darius (PP5), a son of Huntsville, out of Miss Sowo, a mare who competed for years at Monticello, is trained by Ray Schnittker and is owned by Monticello horsemen Dennis Ackerman and his wife Patricia. Darius finished second in his last start at Pocono Downs, pacing his mile in 1:56 with a last quarter of 28:2; Mark Macdonald will drive the gelding.

Fund My Request (Tyler Miller) sports an impressive resume and will score from post 3. Dave Dziengel is the trainer of Boston Delight (Boston Red Rocks, Adam Moeykens). He has a pair of Monticello qualifiers under his belt and will start from post 6.