by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — Monticello Raceway hosted three $12,700 New York Sire Stakes late closer divisions for 3-year-old trotting fillies on Monday (July 27) and when they were completed Anikawiesahalee’s easy 2:02.4 victory turned out to be the fastest of the three.

Geri Schwarz photo

Anikawiesahalee won the fastest division for driver Jay Randall.

Jay Randall drove the daughter of Credit Winner-Sahalee to an eased-up three length triumph over Someway, driven by Brian Cross.

In that split when pacesetter Evergreen (John Cummings, Jr.) wouldn’t allow Anikawiesahalee the lead at the quarter, Randall took a tuck and remained there until the backstretch when he angled his filly to the outside and she swept to the front and then coasted home a winner. Anikawiesahalee, trained by Maureen Salino, is owned by Mike Pozefsky.

Zeke Parker, the meet’s top reinsman who has been driving like the days of old, scored a victory with Praise in an eight length laugher timed in 2:03.2.

After Parker sent the daughter of Plesac-Kiss Dot Com to the lead from the two hole they never had a serious challenge the rest of the mile in a race that saw four of the eight fillies go off-stride. Longshot I Honestly Loveyou finished second for Billy Dobson and Marquee Nights was third best for Dan Daley. Trained by Bob Bloodgood for owner Richard Balog it marked Praise’s second win in just four seasonal starts.

Billy Dobson copped the final division in a time of 2:03.4 with Waltzing Bertie in a two length decision over Princess Robyn and Kyle DiBenedetto.

Dobson allowed John Cummings, Jr. and Winner For Life to circle Waltzing Bertie in the first turn but once squared-away on the backside Dobson moved his filly to the lead and once on top they never had an anxious moment. Princess Robyn, who was fifth at the three-quarters, rallied to finish second and Sand Jamie lumbered home in third place for Zeke Parker. The winner, a Dilbert Hanover-Waltzing Savannah filly, is trained by Harold Smith and now has two wins in a row for owners Harold and Karen Smith.