by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — On Tuesday afternoon, August 28, at Monticello Raceway, 2-year-old trotting colts and geldings will compete for a total purse of over $288,000 in the New York Sires Stakes. Four divisions, each worth over $72,000, will go to post in races two, four, six and eight on the track’s 12-race card that day.

Headlining the NYSS events are the youngsters from the powerful Ray Schnittker stable.

Schnittker will start seven New York-breds, which will necessitate coupled entries in three of the four Sires Stakes races. Among the colts that will be performing include record performers Make It Happen, Mr Pignaroni, Joe Nee Balonee, and They Took The Bar.

John Lichtenberger’s Credit Press, a Credit winner colt with a 2:00.2 record, is the early favorite in race two, the first NYSS contest, with Jimmy Morrill, Jr. in the sulky. Credit Press comes into the race off a NYSS victory at Tioga Downs.

In the second NYSS event, Napoleon, another son of Credit Winner with a 2:00 record, gets the oddsmakers nod as the morning line favorite. Owned by Sidney Korn, Ken Tucci, Larry Thomases and John Guariniere, Napoleon has two wins and two seconds and over $43,000 in five lifetime starts. Stephane Bouchard will be at the controls.

Lon Frocione’s Big Apple Deli, a Conway Hall colt with a 1:58.1 record, is the 9-5 favorite in his split, race six. Big Apple Deli comes into the contest with three consecutive NYSS victories and will have Jimmy Morrill, Jr. up.

In the final NYSS split, Ace High Hall, another Conway Hall youngster who has won three consecutive races, the fastest in 1:58.2, will be the one to beat. He is owned by Martin Scharf and will also be driven by Jimmy Morrill, Jr.

Post time for the first race will be at 1:10 p.m.