NYSS & Excelsior Stakes at Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY – For the majority of 56 2-year-old trotting fillies that dropped in the box for Monday June 25 at Monticello Raceway, they will be making their first harness racing pari mutual debut, and for many, the first time on a half mile track.

The entire card is comprised of Sire Stakes competition, the green group were split into 4 regular Sire Stakes – $26,750, 3 heats of the Excelsior A's – $15,000 and 2 dashes of the Excelsior B's $6,500.

The opening Sire Stakes has a trio of nice fillies, starting from the rail is Hot Chapter, a bay filly by Chapter 7, in her first baby race at Gaitway Farms she was second, trotting her mile in 1:57.2, she is trained and driven by Team Miller. Just Priceless (PP2) is also looking to extend her winning streak to 3 wins for trainer Homer Hochstetler after back to back baby race wins at Vernon Downs,

Charles Norris will sit behind the Muscle Yankee filly for the first time. Monticello Raceway's 2nd leading trainer, Gary Messenger will send forth Summertime Fever (PP3) for owner Scott Woogen of Mechanicsville, PA, she took a mark of 2:01.3 at Pocono Downs. Liquorstoreblues (PP4) knows her way around the half mile oval quite well, the Conway Hall filly is undefeated in her 2 starts at Saratoga Raceway, trotting home in a blistering 28.4 in her first LT start, leading Yonkers Raceway driver Jason Bartlett will be in the bike.

In the second division, Sensibility (PP1) has been a 2 time Q winner at Vernon Downs, she won her last start in 2:00.1 by 6 ½ lengths, Scot Zeron will drive the Muscle Mass filly for owners W.Donavan, J. Sbrocco, J. Winske and George Ducharme. Amal Hall will look to shed her role as bridesmaid as she has finished 2nd in both of her qualifiers for trainer Andy Miller. The fleet Credit Winner- Arabella Hall lass shows trotting both of her last quarters in 28.2 and 28 in her qualifiers at Gaitway Farms.

Third heat of Sire Stakes Somermusic'chapter (PP1) With Out A Doubt (PP2) and Helen Goldstein(PP4) were all winners in their last start. Exotic Diamond toured the Monticello oval last week in her qualifier where she finished 3rd for Buzzy Sholty, Scott Zeron will drive the RC Royalty offspring.

EV'S Girl has been installed the 5-2 favorite in the last division, she will start from post position 4 in the 6-horse field. The Crazed – Lindys Lullaby offspring was ultra-impressive in both of her baby races, winning both in identical times of 1:58.4 for trainer Julie Miller, Andy Miller will drive. Winndevie (Credit Winner – Vida De Vie) will start from the rail for Trond Smedshammer for longtime stable patron Purple Haze Stable LLC, she showed high speed in her only baby race, trotting her last quarter in a brisk 27.4. Successful NYSS driver Jeff Gregory, brings Safe Word (PP2) Credit – Winner – Fifty Shades to the contest, she finished second to EV's Girl in her first lifetime start.

Post time is 12:50

by Shawn Wiles, for Monticello