Monticello, NY — The New York Sires Stakes season is entering the homestretch. Monday afternoon (Aug. 15) at Monticello saw the sixth leg of the eight-leg series for 3-year-old trotting fillies. The afternoon featured two divisions of NYSS action, with each race vying for a purse of $57,000.

In a tight photo, In A Tiny Way was declared the winner over a gritty Gertrude in 1:57.3. Geri Schwarz photo.

The first event saw Perfect Vixen starting from the rail (John Stark Jr.) and after a break, she was five lengths off the gate at the start. In A Tiny Way, starting from post position three with Jordan Stratton in the bike, reeled off splits of :29.3 and 1:00. La Vie En Blanc was throwing in a few extra steps during the mile before making a break at the five-eighths marker as they hit the next panel in 1:28.4 with In A Tiny Way still in command.

In a tight photo, In A Tiny Way was declared the winner over a gritty Gertrude (Tyler Miller) in 1:57.3 for her fourth win of the season. The offspring of Conway Hall is trained by Mike Simons and is owned by Ellen McNeil.

The second division was also a five-horse contest. Cash Infusion, the heavy favorite, made an uncharacteristic break before the start. Mark MacDonald, aboard Bomb Hugger, cut the half-mile in :29.2 and :59.4. Approaching the half, Cash Infusion caught the pack. Going down the backside, Valentina Blu and Joe Bongiorno made a wicked brush from the back of the pack, followed by Cash Infusion, as they tripped the timer in 1:30.

Valentina Blu was outside of the leader, Bomb Hugger, turning for home and midway down the lane she kicked into overdrive to overtake the leader to score in 1:58 by 1-3/4 lengths, trotting her last quarter in :28.1. Seven On The Rocks finished third.

It was the second win of the year for the Chapter Seven offspring, owned by Crawford Farms Racing. The win pushed her career earnings to $430,328 for trainer Tony Alagna.

Deli Tessel (Jim Taggart Jr.) scored in Excelsior A action for trainer Marissa Chadbourne in 2:00.2. The daughter of Credit Winner is owned by Lon Todd Frocione. It was her fourth win on the season.

Telenovela scored in an upset in 2:00.2 ($35.80) in another Excelsior A division with Jordan Stratton for trainer Claude Huckabone III.

Next week is the final NYSS event at Monticello Raceway with 2-year-old colt pacers. The Night of Champions finals is slated for Sunday (Sept. 11).