Monticello, NY – Monticello Raceway hosted New York stakes for 2-year-old trotting colts and geldings Monday (July 7) with the nine-race card featuring two splits of the New York Sire Stakes and two Excelsior Series events.
The first $53,500 NYSS division was a well-behaved group of six freshmen. Starting from post position three was the 1-5 favorite AI with Jason Bartlett in the bike. When the gate left, Secured (Ake Svanstedt) grabbed the early lead before AI made the front past the opening panel of :29.1. AI still had the front at the half in 1:00 before Secured came off the rail to mount a challenge, and they passed the next marker in 1:30.1.
Turning home AI and Secured were head-to-head in deep stretch but AI prevailed in 1:59.1. Spencer Hanover split the two to get up for second with Secured hanging on for third. AI went inside three pylons at the top of the stretch and survived a judges’ inquiry. AI (Chapter Seven-Image Of Bee) sports a perfect resume with two consecutive NYSS victories, pushing his seasonal earnings to $64,550 for trainer Ron Burke.
The second $52,500 division was a five-horse field that was not as well-mannered as the first group. Moving Day (Braxten Boyd) made a break leaving the gate, and Chapel (Brett Beckwith) made a break going into the first turn. Angry Pete (John Stark Jr.) was able to steer clear of the breakers and made his way to the front, reaching the opening quarter in :30.4. Coming out of the paddock turn Read The Room (Svanstedt) made a break leaving Angry Pete out front by 4-1/2 lengths, passing the half 1:01.2.
With every stride Titans Mischief closed the gap. By the next panel in 1:32.3, Titans Mischief had collared the leader on the outside. In the stretch it was a battle between the two, but Titans Mischief (E L Titan-Morosita Bi) prevailed by a neck in 2:01.3, trotting his last quarter in :28.4. Read The Room recovered from his miscue to get up for third. Titans Mischief is trained by Bruce Clarke and was driven to the win by Matt Kakaley.
In Excelsior action, June From Dunoon (Hill I Am-Ruby Ruby Who) scored a three-length win in 2:03.4 for trainer Peter Pellegrino with Greg Merton in the bike. The other $20,000 split saw Stinger (E L Titan-Flotus) stay flat and score in 2:12.1 for part-owner, trainer and driver John Stark Jr.
New York Sire Stakes returns on Monday, July 14, when 3-year-old filly trotters come to town. Post time is 12:10 p.m. (EDT). Check out entries and results at www.Monticelloracewayny.com.