Monticello, NY — On a wet afternoon at Monticello Raceway on Monday (June 26), 29 2-year-old pacing colts embarked on their pari-mutuel careers, racing for total purses in excess of $145,000. It was a fine display of this year’s crop of juvenile pacing talent. The card featured two divisions of New York Sire Stakes and two heats of the Excelsior Series.

Boston Rocks scored in 1:58.1. Geri Schwarz photo.

In the first heat of Sire Stakes, worth $53,500, the betting public made Jones Hanover (Jordan Stratton) the favorite. The co-favorite was Boston Rocks. The son of Boston Red Rocks used the pole position to his advantage, as he was the first off the gate, subduing a weak threat from Taranaki (Scott Zeron) to take the lead. He was on top at every split — :30.1, 1:00.4, and 1:30.2.

Jones Hanover made his move at the five-eighths pole to take aim on the leader but was never able to make up enough ground. By the top of the stretch, Boston Rocks had two lengths on the pack and put away any contenders to coast home uncontested to score a 4-3/4 length win in 1:58.1. Jason Bartlett drove the son of Boston Red Rocks for trainer Michael Deters. He is owned by Peter Blood and Rick Berks.

The $54,500 second division of Sire Stakes was an eight-horse affair and was the best race of the card, showcasing some talented freshmen.

Hunt Or Be Hunted (Stratton) left from post six and was the first to the front with Levi Sonic (Lauren Tritton) right behind him as they hit the opening panel in :28.3. The positions remained unchanged until the half in :59.2 when the favorite, Avenger Force, who was sitting fifth along the rail, pulled the right line to get in the fray.

Cantfindmywayhome (Bartlett) made an authoritative move going down the backside to get the lead. But not for long. Ameritric unleased a big move himself and was suddenly the new leader. As soon as he cleared in the paddock turn, Avenger Force came off the rail to engage Ameritric in a stretch duel that went down to the very end to get the win in 1:58.1. At some point during the mile, the overcheck for Avenger Force became undone but did not have any ill effect. Finishing third was Vandiemen Bluechip.

It was an impressive win for the Travis Alexander-trained son of Huntsville who started from post position eight. The winner is owned by Fiddler’s Creek Stables and was driven by Matt Kakaley.

The first Excelsior had its fair share of Monticello connections, with three horses trained by local horsemen. Starting from the rail was Escape To America, who cut the first half with fractions of :29.3 and 1:01.2. Sitting fifth was Darius, who got underway just past the half.

Escape To America was still showing the way but made a break just before the three-quarter marker as Darius made the front at the next station in 1:31.1. He and Spectacular Plus paced in tandem off the last turn. Darius put him away with the fastest last quarter of the day of :27.3 for a 1:58.4 win. Boston Delight (Adam Moeykens) finished third.

Darius is a son of Huntsville and is trained by Ray Schnittker. The winning driver was Mark MacDonald. The freshman is owned by Dennis and Patricia Ackerman.

The second division saw Euro Step (Tyler Buter), a son of So Surreal, earn his first speed badge after closing to overtake the tempo-setting Funky Beach in 1:59.2 for trainer Nick Devita. He is owned by David Hamm, Glenn Phillips and Devita Racing Stable.