Monticello, NY – Racing for the largest single purse since 2017, Monticello Raceway had 1 division of Sire Stakes racing for a purse of $118,800 and 7 heats of Excelsior races on Monday afternoon..
Jim Morrill Jr. had just driven Market Bre to victory in the second race, then after the winner circle presentation Morrill said "I'll be back in an hour for the that Sire Stake blanket."
As the starter picked up the field of 8 Sire Stakes a sudden burst of rain began, Quincy Blue Chip the 1/5 favorite, started from post position 2, and she led from start to finish, cutting fractions of 28.4,59.0, 1:27.4 to win in 1:56.2, a 1/5 of a second off the track record, (LQ 28.3).
Finishing second was the pocket sitter Sensibility, Winndevie was third.
Quincy Blue Chip (Chapter Seven – Sirenuse) earned her 6th win of the season and her third Sire Stake win and has seasonal earning of $274,000 in 10 starts. She is owned by Barbara & James Boese of Milton Delaware and trainer Richard Banca of Otisville NY. During the winner circle presentation, the rain had stopped and Morrill quipped "I told you I was coming back for that Blanket!"
In Excelsior Action, the winners were Hana Dreamgirl 1:59.3- Jason Bartlett / Market Bre 2:01.1 – Jim Morrill Jr. / Crystalline 1:58.2 Scott Zeron / Muscle N Beauty 2:01 – Bruce Aldrich Jr. / Summertime Fever 2:00.1 Jim Taggart Jr. and Marcella Bella 2:02.1 – Bruce Aldrich.
Jim Morrill Jr. has a driving double on the card, George Ducharme had a training double. Local reinsman Bruce Aldrich Jr. and Jim Taggart Jr also each had Excelsior driving wins. Chapter Seven lead the way with 3 daughters entering the winners circle.
The next stop for the Sire Stake at Monticello Raceway Is on Monday August 12, as 2 year old trotting fillies come to town.
By Shawn Wiles, for Monticello Raceway