Monticello, NY – The 2022 New York Sire Stakes program got underway Monday (June 6) afternoon at Monticello Raceway.

The first heat of NYSS, worth $57,000, saw a short field of five sophomore pacing fillies go to the gate. With the short field, no show wagering was allowed.

American Ticket picked up the win over four rivals in one division of the NYSS today at Monticello Raceway. Geri Schwarz photo.

American Ticket extended herself to get to the front just past the opening panel of :27.2. From there, she tapped the brakes for the second panel as they reached it in :57.3. The favorite, Gotthegreenlight, was sitting third past the half but at the five-eighths pole, mounted a meek challenge to the contenders but it wasn’t enough and was too late as American Ticket scampered away from the pack and had two lengths on them as she continued to motor home in 1:53.1.

The American Ideal filly was driven by Mark Macdonald for trainer Jessica Fallon. Fly Like An Angel finished second, followed by Hamptons Babe.

In the $58,100 second heat, heavy favorite Joyride Hanover was a bit extended at the start as she was three-wide down the backside to get the lead at the quarter pole in :27.2 and continued to set the tempo, reaching the half in :56.2.

Kele Kele set a new lifetime mark of 1:53.1 in the second division of the NYSS today at Monticello. Geri Schwarz photo.

Kele Kele popped out of the three-hole approaching the five-eighths pole with a quick brush of speed to go right on by Joyride Hanover, who was not herself this afternoon, tripping the timer in 1:25. Turning for home, Kele Kele lead by four lengths and went on for the win in 1:53.1 to set a new lifetime mark. Valar Dohaeris was second, followed by Patsville. Joyride Hanover finished fifth.

Kele Kele was a winner last year in a Sire Stakes event at Monticello Raceway where she took her 2-year-old record of 1:56.3. The daughter of So Surreal was driven by Scott Zeron and is trained by John Mcdermott.

Excelsior action saw Chillin Bythe Pool (American Ideal) and Jordon Stratton in an easy five-length win over Mini Rose in 1:55.3. Nadina Hanover (American Ideal) scored in a wire-to-wire effort in 1:55.4 for the tandem of Jason Bartlett and Nifty Norman. Dudes Sweet Bet (Dudes The Man) scored a three-length victory in 1:54.

The 3/5 favorite was driven by Tyler Buter and is trained by Jessica Okusko for her second win of the season. A Girl That Twirls (American Ideal) was impressive in her 1:54.1 score over American Jazz.

The win tally continues to increase for Dreaming Silly. She earned her ninth win of the year for Anthony Regina.

Mike Merton and Chris Petrelli teamed up for two winners on the card. Beauty is Blind took the Mares Open Pace in 1:55.4 and Special Achiever notched her fifth consecutive win.

The 12-race card garnered $606,000 in handle, with a per race average of $50,000. American Ideal lead all sires with three winners on the afternoon.