The Gruffalo is no longer undefeated

Monticello, N.Y. – Two-year-old trotting colts were center stage on Monday, August 1 at Monticello Raceway, with over $140,000 in harness racing purses up for grabs.

The second heat, worth $54,500, featured the unbeaten The Gruffalo, who was the betting favorite off his two-race NYSS win streak. After the gate left, it saw three horses break stride by the time they hit the first turn. Among them was The Gruffalo.

Going into the first turn, Wally Hennessey had breakers to the front of him and to the inside, yet Wild Bill Kelso kept his composure and stayed on gate and cut the mile. Taking advantage of the turmoil was Wild Bill Kelso (Crazy Wow), who rushed to get the lead first over at the 1/4 pole in 30.1, with Barney Goldstein sitting in the garden spot.

Ake Svanstedt, driving Cecil Hanover, was the first to pull approaching the half. As the pack hit the ¾ mile maker in 1:29.4, Cecil Hanover took a shot at the leader but was unable to make up any ground, with Wild Bill Kelso tripping the timer in 1:59.1. Barney Goldstein (Brett Crawford) mounted a strong challenge but came up a long neck short. Finishing third was Kilgore S (Brian Sears).

WILD BILL KELSO REPLAY

Wild Bill Kelso is owned by the Runthetable Stable of Montvale, N.J. and is trained by Jim Campbell.  This win was his second of the season after his other win in NYSS company at Buffalo. He is two-for-five lifetime and has earned $66,827.

In the first heat of New York Sire Stakes action, racing for a purse of $53,500, Kierkegaard K (Chapter Seven) led from start to finish to score in 1:58.3.

Starting from Post Position 3, the Ake Svanstedt trainee was in complete control the entire mile. He had a four-length lead at the half, and it remained unchanged at the finish.

Jax Spratt (Wally Hennessey) benefitted from a perfect trip to garner the place spot, followed by Unique Style (Mark McDonald).

KIERKEGAARD K REPLAY

It was the first lifetime win for Kierkegaard K. He is a homebred for Knutsson Trotting Inc, of Delray Beach, Florida. He has earned $31,142 in three starts.

In Excelsior A class, racing for a purse of $15,000, Jim Devaux scored aboard the pocket, sitting City of Hope in 1:59.1 for trainer David Dewhurst, overtaking Daleys Rep (Dan Daley) at the wire. A You Got It (Chapter Seven) won in 2:01 for trainer Marcus Melander. He is owned by Steve L. Heimbecker of Waterloo, Ontario.

In the lone Excelsior B race, Crazy Fool (Crazy Wow) won in 1:59.3 for owner-trainer-driver Claude Hukabone Jr. in a wire-to-wire performance. Sires Crazy Wow and Chapter Seven each had a pair of winners on the card.

Sire Stakes action returns to Monticello Raceway on Monday, August 8 with two-year-old trotting fillies.

For complete race results, click here.

by Kimberly Winston, for Monticello Raceway