by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — On the warm and muggy evening of Thursday (July 4), 2-year-old filly pacers strutted their stuff in four divisions of the $130,000 New York Sire Stakes at Monticello Raceway and were accompanied by four $12,700 splits in the Excelsior Series.

All four NYSS events were paced in 1:58 or better and in the fourth division Yannick Gingras guided Ali Blue to a 1:56.1 triumph, the fastest of the night. Other NYSS winners were Supplemental Income in 1:57, Scandalicious in 1:57.2 and Gentlemens Delight in 1:58. Each individual purse went for approximately $33,000.

Geri Schwarz photo

Ali Blue lowered the Monticello track record for 2-year-old filly pacers to 1:56.1 with a NYSS score.

But the night belonged to Ali Blue, a daughter of American Ideal-Mintjulep Blue Chip from the powerful Jimmy Tatker barn.

That contest pitted season’s record holder (on a half-mile track) Mind Over Matter against Ali Blue and since the latter had the pole position Gingras gunned her to the lead with Tim Tetrick and Mind Over Matter in close pursuit. They were one-two by the quarter in :28.3 and the order remained the same past the half in :58.4 although Tetrick had his hands full trying to keep his filly in the two hole.

Gingras managed to get Ali Blue to the third stanza in 1:28.2 where the pace quickened and the diminutive filly began to open daylight on the field. As she turned for home Ali Blue had two lengths on Mind Over Matter and at the wire the margin was extended to three lengths.

Gringras was asked why he sent Ali Blue to the lead when he could have let Tetrick go with Mind Over Matter.

“I raced her on the front end in her first (qualifying) start and she was game on the lead,” Gingras explained. “Tonight she came a last quarter in :27.4 and was so good that I didn’t even pull the (ear) plugs. She could have gone in (1):55 tonight.”

Owned by Christina Takter, John Fielding, RAW Equine and Jim Fielding, Ali Blue paid $5.20 for win and is now two for two lifetime.

Locals jammed the winner’s circle after Supplemental Income, a Bettor’s Delight-Getupngo filly, got up in the final strides for driver Matt Kakaley to turn back Ravina Hanover (Gingras) and win in 1:57 for Goshen, N.Y., owners Jennifer and Janice Connor.

“She raced real good,” Kakaley said in the winner’s circle. “She’s a little girl but she’s got a big engine.”

Supplemental Income returned a $6.30 win mutuel.

In yet another NYSS split, Andrew McCarthy put Scandalicious on the lead and the daughter of American Ideal-The Country Store raced unchallenged all the way and finished a full length ahead of JK Molly and Tim Tertick.

Owned by JFE Enterprises, Scandalicious paid $2.70 and $2.20. There was no show wagering on the race.

Yannick Gingras and Jimmy Takter again teamed-up for a 1:58 victory with Gentlemens Delight in another NYSS split.

Gingras put her on the lead and the daughter of Better’s Delight-West Side Glory paced her final quarter in :28.3 and cruised to an easy 1-1/2 length triumph over Expose and Matt Kakaley.

“She’s real good and does what she’s asked for,” Gingras said about the full sister to See You At Peelers.

Gentlemens Delight is owned by Christina Takter and John Fielding. She paid $3.00 and $2.30 with no show betting.

Although Tim Tetrick didn’t win a NYSS event he did score three victories in the Excelsior Series. He won with Barbuda Babe in 1:59.2, All About Boyz in 1:58.3 and Keep Dreaming in 2:00.4.

A final Excelsior split went to Spreester in 1:59.1, driven by local teamster Jimmy Devaux.

And being July 4th, caretaker Liz Stubits dressed up Strong Bow with red, white and blue and held him in the winner’s circle after he won an overnight trot in 2:01.1 for driver Jimmy Taggart, Jr.

A huge fireworks display followed 45 minutes after the final race, much to the enjoyment of thousands that evening.