by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — Last week both Mythical Lindy and Green Day won their respective eliminations of the Nevele Pride Stakes at Monticello Raceway and in the process each established a new track record.

Mythical Lindy’s triumph in 1:57.3 was a new record for sophomore trotting colts, while Green Day’s 1:58.1 set a new standard for 3-year-old trotting geldings.

Now on Monday afternoon, June 25, the two outstanding colts will lock horns in the $338,000 Nevele Pride Final, which, at this point, is the biggest purse race offered by Monticello Raceway.

Both Mythical Lindy and Green Day have drawn outside posts; the former will start from post six while the latter has drawn post seven.

According to Mythical Lindy’s trainer, Jim Arledge, post position is always a concern.

“We won last week from post seven but I’m always concerned about post positions, especially on a half-mile track,” he said. “I trained him (Mythical Lindy) all winter on a half-mile track in Circleville, Ohio and I know he doesn’t seem to mind the turns but when you start from an outside position there are plenty of things that could happen.”

However, last week something did happen to Mythical Lindy but post position wasn’t involved.

“I didn’t see it and didn’t know until the race was over, but Dave (Miller) said the colt threw a shoe at the quarter pole,” Arledge said. “It didn’t seem to make much difference. I was thinking about lightening him up in front and now maybe I will, but I’m not going to do it this week!”

Arledge noted that he is aiming his colt for the Hambletonian and his next start after the Nevele Pride will probably be in the Dancer at the Meadowlands.

Another of the Nevele Pride starters, Manfinity, is also a Hambo eligible.

Manfinity, who is trained by Larry Rathbone, won the Dexter Cup at Freehold Raceway on May 12 in 1:58.2 and was sent off as the favorite last week in his elimination event. He finished second to Green Day, some four lengths behind the winner.

“I was a little disappointed with his race last week; he didn’t come with his game face,” Rathbone said about Manfinity’s performance. “I’m not sure if he wasn’t feeling good or that maybe because he raced just once in five weeks, but I know he’s a better colt than he showed in the eliminations. We drew that rail again and I look for a better mile from him this week.”

Green Day, one colt who is not a Hambo eligible, still has great credentials.

The $6,000 yearling purchase already has amassed over $84,000 for his owners and was a clear cut easy winner last week.

Green Day’s driver Cat Manzi has a lot of confidence in the colt’s ability.

“He is easy to handle and can leave good and he showed he has a lot of trot. If we get a few breaks we’ll certainly be in the hunt.”

In all, six of the colts in the Nevele Pride are Hambletonian hopefuls; the New York-bred Hitwiththeladies is the other who is not eligible.