Four heats for NYSS at Monticello Monday

Monticello, N.Y. – The entry box was overflowing at Monticello Raceway when Race Secretary Eric Warner drew for the two-year-old harness racing pacing fillies for the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) on Monday, July 3. When the dust settled, he had four heats of Sire Stakes, with each split racing for a purse of $26,250, and four divisions of the Excelsior Strakes, each worth $20,000.

In the first division, So Well Dressed (J. 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 6 for trainer Chuck Conner Jr. Hunting Hula (PP4) finished second in her recent performance in this company. She will be driven by Patrick Lachance. Tempville (T. Buter) has two winning qualifiers under her belt for trainer George Ducharme and will score from post 2.

The second heat has two starters with unblemished records. Villannah (Hunstville , PP2) has a pair of winning races at Vernon Downs. The $87,000 yearling purchase hails from the George Ducharme barn and will be driven by Tyler Buter. 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 favorite, Camerican (American Ideal), was a winner last start in NYSS company with a win at the Buffalo Raceway in 1:58.2. The Ron Burke trainee will score from post 7 and will be driven by Jordan Stratton.

Race 8 is the third heat of Sire Stakes with six starters. Blue Point (PP5) has been installed the morning line favorite. She was second last start in Buffalo in the same class for trainer Ed Hart. Jason Bartlett will drive. I’m A Believer (PP2) will be driven by Jordan Stratton.

The final heat features Belle Brielle (PP2), heat winner of Sire Stakes 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 starts under her belt. The John Berger-trained freshman will score from post position 3 with Jordan Stratton in the sulky.

Post time for the 11-race card is 12:10 p.m.

For complete Monday race entries, click here.

by Kimberly Winston, for Monticello Raceway