by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — It’s always a bit of a shock when an odds-on favorite gets beat at the wire as Shaky Hanover did in the third and final $50,000 split of the $150,000 New York Sire Stakes for 2-year-old pacing fillies at Monticello Raceway on Tuesday, August 18. But when the winner, Hula’s Z Tam, driven by Pat Lachance, turns out to be a full sister to Southwind Tempo, maybe her 1:58.4 upset victory wasn’t all that shocking.

Matt Kakaley had favored Shaky Hanover in the two-hole behind Galimony (Stephane Bouchard) as the field headed to the quarter pole and just before that stanza he moved her to the lead as the timer flashed :28.1. Kakaley gave the daughter of Bettor’s Delight-Shady Past a breather as they paced by the half in :58. An even slower — :31 second — third stanza was paced as the field bunched up behind them with the eventual winner second-over in fifth position at that point.

However in the lane the crowd thought — as maybe Kakaley did as well — that his filly, who had a three length lead, would cruise home a winner. However, Lachance, who was in the sulky behind Hula’s Z Tam ($8.80) knew he had dead-aim at the leader and in the final strides his Bettor’s Delight-Tsunami Hanover filly charged to the front and scored her second victory in just three seasonal starts.

When asked if he was surprised by his filly’s mile Lachance smiled wryly and said, “No, not at all. I knew she was going to be a good one…maybe as good as her sister. She’s the real deal.”

Co-owner Bill Matz (Z Tam backwards) was on hand and joyful when he got his picture taken with his filly with whom he shares ownership with Margaret Kay and trainer/driver Lachance. It was in the winner’s circle that Matz pointed out that his filly was the full sister to Southwind Tempo and he said they bought her at a bargain price since she was on the small side as a yearling.

Kakaley won the second division with a come-from-behind charge with Sand Song ($12.20) in a time of 1:59.2. Seventh at the three-quarters and in fifth position and three-deep on the final turn, Sand Song charged home with a rush to be a head winner over Dee’s Art Girl (Stephane Bouchard) in a 1:59.2 clocking. Third place went to She’s A Screamer with Ray Schnittker aboard.

Jimmy Marohn, Jr. set the early fractions in that one with the 3-2 betting favorite, Tia Maria Hanover, but she tired badly and finished last.

Sand Song, a daughter of Bettor’s Delight-Chipmunks Can Sing now has two wins and two seconds in four lifetime starts. She is owned by Bill Sanders.

The only favorite in the Sire Stakes action to hold up was Barks Like A Dog ($3.60), who won the first $50,000 division for driver Ray Schnittker.

When the gate sprung Schnittker sent the daughter of Bettor’s Delight-Poodle Party to the lead and they had command before the quarter in :28.1. Once on top Barks Like A Dog carried a two length lead until the top of the lane but in the deep stretch that lead nearly vanished though she did hold on for a head victory over a fast-closing Odds On Design, who was driven by Greg Merton. Third place finisher Rough Sketch, who was making only her second lifetime start, had the most pace at the end of the mile but driver Jimmy Morrill, Jr. had no room or the final result may have been different.

It was the fourth victory in six lifetime starts for Barks Like A Dog who is owned by Ted Gewertz, Charlie Iannazzo and Schnittker.