Monticello, NY – The marque division of the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) featuring 3-year-old pacing colts will be showcased on Monday June 18 at Monticello Raceway. 3 divisions of Sire Stakes will race for $140,00, spilt into 3 heats of $39,200, 2 heats of the Excelsior A class – $15,000 and 1 division of the Excelsior B -$6,800.
In the first division Real Surreal (PP4) has been installed the 5-2 favorite with Scott Zeron in the bike, the game son of So Surreal has been knocking on the door to the winner's circle for trainer Mark Steacy.
Real Surreal finish second at Tioga Downs last start and a 3rd place third place at Vernon Down the prior week. Topville Olympian, who took his lifetime mark of 1:56 at Monticello as a 2-year-old has drawn the rail for trainer David Menary, the son of American Ideal is making his first seasonal start in Sire Stakes company and is seeking his first win of the year. Jordan Stratton. will handle the driving chores.
Jersey Jim, the winner of the NYSS Final at Yonkers last fall drew PP 6 in the 1st division, racing for a purse of $39,200. The son of Artiscape has yet to regain his 2-year-old form, Jim Devaux will drive.
The 2nd heat is a 7-horse field, the morning line favorite Trump Nation will start from the far outside from post position 7. The son of Betterthancheddar was the winner of $300,000 Rooney Final winner at Yonkers in 1:51.3 and was 2nd in his division of the Reynold Stake also at Yonkers.
The Chris Oak trainee is owned by Crawford Farms and Evan Katz of Seaford NY. Ostro Hanover is a Monticello Raceway pupil for trainer Frank Yanoti. The son of Betterthancheddar will be driven by Jim Taggart Jr. Already a 6-time winner this year, he has picked up checks in his last 2 Sire Stake starts, looking impressive in his 3rd place finish at Vernon Downs in a blanket finish, pacing his mile in 1:50.
Rockapelo (PP5) is moving up in class from the Excelsior A group, he scored an impressive win last start out at Tioga Downs were he jogged in 1:51.4 to win by 5½ lengths, the son of Rock N Roll Heaven is trained by Linda Toscano for owner. Enviro Stables.
My Delight (PP4 – Marcus Miller) highlights the final heat, the bay son of Betterthancheddar has won a Sire Stakes event this year at Vernon Down in 1:49.4, he is coming off a second-place finish in the same company at Tioga Downs. My Delight sports impressive tally this year with 2 wins and 3 thirds in 5 starts and $44,895 in 2018 earnings. Rock Lights (Rock N Roll Heaven) will benefit from the 2-post position, Scott Zeron at the helm.
In the Excelsior A class, first division race 2, Casual Cool is being brought along very slowly this year by trainer Linda Toscano, the America Ideal filly has 4 qualifiers under her belt. A 5-time winner at 2, she will start from post 7, with owner Ken Jacobs favorite driver, Tim Tetrick. 2 local connections in this group, Rocknroll Delight (Gary Messenger – PP5) and Prophet Blue Chip (David Dziengiel PP6)
Trainer George Ducharmes Rocksapatriot is the favorite in the other Excelsior A dash. The son of Rockincam will start from the rail, he has been first or second in his 4 seasonal starts, with Scott Zeron in the bike.
The track record for 3 YOPC is 1:52.1 set by Kenneth J in 2007.
by:Shawn Wiles, for Monticello Raceway
All emails from Empire Resorts, Inc. and its subsidiaries, and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to which they are addressed. If you are not the intended recipient you are hereby notified that disclosing, copying, distributing or taking any action in reliance on the contents of this information is strictly prohibited. This e-mail and any files transmitted with it are considered privileged and confidential and may not be used by either party in any pending or future legal proceedings.
Empire Resorts, Inc., 204 State Route 17B, Monticello, NY 12701 845-807-0001