Monticello, NY – The seventh leg of the New York Sire Stakes program will take place on Monday (Aug. 10) when 2-year-old pacing fillies go behind the gate. The entry box was overflowing when Race Secretary Eric Warner opened the box, with a total of 47 freshman fillies entered. On tap are two $52,500 divisions of Sire Stakes, with five-horse fields, and three $20,000 Excelsior Series dashes.
The reigning queen of the division, Cowboy Candy, is looking to keep her win streak alive. She has reeled off four consecutive Sire Stake wins at Yonkers, Buffalo, Vernon Downs and Tioga Downs, where she took her lifetime mark of 1:51.4 and has earnings of $124,950. The So Surreal-Caviart Elena filly is trained by Aaron Lambert for owner Chain Lighting Stable. Too Pink To Pass (post 4) has been a bridesmaid three times this season; the Cameo Hill Farms-bred daughter of Huntsville-Soft Wind Hanover is trained by Shane Tritton, and his wife Lauren Tritton will drive.
In the second heat Maxina (post 2) has been installed as the morning-line favorite. The Courtly Choice-Fanticipation filly took her speed badge in an Excelsior win earlier this season at Buffalo of 1:57.2. She has finished third in her last two outings for trainer Ricky Bucci. Annie O (post 3) scored in her last outing at Tioga Downs in 1:53.1 in this company; the Huntsville-Rapunzel Blue Chip will be driven by Leon Bailey for trainer Andrew Stafford.
The Excelsior class is highlighted by Spider Claire from the rail in race 9. The daughter of So Surreal has three Excelsior wins in four starts, taking her mark of 1:55.1 at Vernon Downs for trainer Paul Roy, and seasonal earnings of $32,400. Prop Bet (post 2) is a two-time Excelsior winner, with victories at Tioga and Vernon Downs and a mark of 1:54.
Post time for the nine-race card is 12:10 p.m. (EDT).