by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — Tiger’s Too Good was just that in his $19,934 division of the New York Sire Stakes for 3-year-old colts and geldings at Monticello Raceway on Tuesday (June 7). The Conway Hall colt, driven by David Miller, equaled the track record of 1:57.1 for sophomore trotters originally set by Napoleon and Stephane Bouchard back on June 11, 2008.

In all, the NYSS was divided into nine divisions with a bevy of other colts turning in sub-2:00 miles. Other winners who shaded 2:00 in victory included Dream Lake (1:58.4), Keenan (1:57.3) and Whitewater Rapids (1:59.4).

Geri Schwarz photo

Tiger’s Too Good and David Miller were 1:57.1 winners in their NYSS split.

In their split, Miller sent Tiger’s Too Good to the lead from post two and they showed the way the entire mile although the betting favorite in the contest, Turtle Express and driver Stephane Bouchard, moved into second position nearing the three-quarters and was within striking distance of the leader.

However, much to Bouchard’s dismay, when the two trotters rounded the final turn Miller lifted the lines on Tiger’s Too Good and the Conway Hall colt kicked in a :28.2 final quarter to score a three length triumph. Turtle Express finished second with Order By Texas (Jason Bartlett) third.

In the winner’s circle when Miller was told that his colt equaled the track record for 3-year-olds he said, “Wow, really. I’m impressed. A lot of good horses have gone over this racetrack. I had no idea a track record was within reach. He (Tiger’s Too Good) did it all by himself.”

Dream Lake got the day started when Fern Paquet, Jr. guided the Dream Vacation gelding to a 1:58.4 victory for jubilant owner and former Mighty M regular (from the 1960s) Donnie Wiest.

Their victory was followed by an impressive 1:57.3 mile turned in by Keenan and driver Andy Miller for owner Ray Remmen. Andy Miller was certainly pleased with the Credit Winner colt’s performance.

“He’s quick and he’s handy,” he said. “You can leave with him or take him back and he’s comfortable (racing) in a hole, too. (He’s) just a nice horse to drive.”

Ray Schnittker scored a 1:59.4 victory with Whitewater Rapids, a Credit Winner son from the good trotting mare Rapid Rail. But they needed a :28.4 final stanza to shade the 2:00 mark which Whitewater Rapids did with ease. He’s co-owned by Schnittker, the Hero Stable and Collogero Iannazzo.

Schnittker also scored another NYSS division victory when he reined House On Fire to a 2:01.2 triumph in yet another split. That Conway Hall colt is co-owned by the House On Fire Stable and Schnittker.

I’m the Answer, a Credit Winner gelding owned by the Purple Haze Stable and driven by Trond Smedshammer, turned in a :28.4 final quarter en route to an easy 2:00.1 victory in yet another division.

Homer Hochstetler and Robert Buddig’s Cash Hall gelding Evil Urges triumphed in 2:01.3 for driver Jimmy Whittemore and scored one for the Midwest contingent.

Chip Campbell and Francis Garrow’s New Identity, another Cash Hall gelding, was victorious in a 2:00.1 clocking for Jeff Gregory and a ninth and final split went to Howard Berke, Matt Bencic and Sam Schillaci’s Pay The Winner when Schillaci guided the Credit Winner gelding to a 2:00.1 triumph.

On Thursday (June 9) the Mighty M will host seven divisions of 3-year-old pacing colts racing for a total purse of $180,000 in New York Sire Stakes action.