by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — The road to Vernon Downs and a chance to compete in the $1.4 million New York Sire Stakes finals await the highest money earners in each of the eight divisions of NYSS events. On Monday afternoon, August 17, at Monticello Raceway the journey for 2-year-old pacing fillies continues with three divisions racing for a total purse of $150,000.

Each division will be worth nearly $50,000 with the third split, race six on the 13-race card, arguably the toughest of the three. Nearly every filly in that eight-horse field has a sub-2:00 record already with the fastest, a 1:53.3, clocking belonging to Bill and Jack Heinz’s Shaky Hanover, a daughter of Bettor’s Delight-Shady Past. A winner of four of six starts this year — her last three in a row — and purses of over $67,000, she’ll have the hot-handed youngster Matt Kakaley at the controls and will start from post two in that $50,329 split.

But Shaky Hanover can expect stiff competition from the Jason Bartlett-driven Lady Major, a three-time winner — fastest 1:55.1 — with a $60,000 seasonal bankroll, and from Galimony, a winner of four of five this year, the fastest in 1:54.4. The former, an Art Major–Eastern Lady filly, will start from post six while the latter, a daughter of Artiscape-Ideal Gal, will have the services of Stephane Bouchard when she leaves from the eight hole.

Ray Schnittker’s Bark Like A Dog, off three consecutive wins, the fastest in 1:55.2, is the favorite in the first $49,429 division, which will go as race number one. The Bettor’s Delight-Poodle Party youngster is owned by Schnittker in partnership with Ted Gewertz and Charlie Iannazzo and she’ll leave from post position six in the seven horse field.

Matt Kakaley will drive the favorite, Sand Song, in the second division, race four on the card. This daughter of Bettor’s Delight-Chipmunks Can Sing won a NYSS event at Vernon Downs in 1:54.3 on August 1. She’s the property of Bill Sanders.

Post time for the August 18 afternoon card will be at 1:10 p.m.