by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — A host of world class sophomore pacing fillies will be among the 31 who will be racing for more than $176,000 in four New York Sire Stakes splits at Monticello Raceway on Thursday afternoon, June 25.

Headlining the events is the Ed Lohmeyer-trained Indulge Me who already has banked more than $145,000 this year and $373,000 in her short racing career for owners Bob and Lauren Tucker.

Fred Brown Photography

Indulge Me and Mike Lachance won the $203,425 Empire Breeders Classic in 1:52.2.

A 1:52 winner at Lexington at 2, the daughter of Bettor’s Delight nearly equaled that clocking this year when she won the $203,425 Empire Breeders Classic at Tioga Downs in 1:52.2 on May 24. On Thursday she’ll race away from post position five in the sixth race at Monticello with Mike Lachance again in the driver’s seat.

Another top-notch filly is the Mark Ford-trained Eagle Way, who has banked more than $252,000 in her career for owner Frank Dettore Horse Racing LLC. A winner of six of eight races as a freshman — the fastest a 1:54.2 clocking at Vernon Downs — this year the daughter of Dream Away will come into her NYSS division off a 1:57.1 Sire Stakes triumph at Yonkers Raceway on June 18. Jason Bartlett will handle the driving chores from post position six in the 10th race.

And two others, All Spirit and Bet On Luck, though not yet as accomplished as the aforementioned fillies, certainly are on the road to distinction. And as luck would have it they will lock horns in the fourth race.

All Spirit, a Bettor’s Delight filly, has had two consecutive victories, the last a 1:55.2 stunner in the NYSS at Yonkers Raceway on June 18 and owns a 1:53 record taken at Tioga Downs on June 10. She’s owned by Larry Lanpher and trained by Tim Lanpher. All Spirit will start from post position four with Jimmy Marohn, Jr. aboard.

Bet On Luck, another daughter of Bettor’s Delight, also comes into her division off two wins in a row at Yonkers Raceway, both in NYSS action. Her best clocking was the 1:56.1 triumph on June 18. She’s owned by Kovach Stables LLC and George Teague, Jr. and trained by Teague. Jason Bartlett will be in the sulky when the filly starts from post position three.

Although four fillies have been highlighted, the fact remains that of the 31 starters there most probably will be others who will rise to the top before the NYSS season comes to a close in late September.

The four NYSS events on the June 25 card will go as races four, six, eight and 10 on the 13-race card. NYSS divisional purses will be $44,143 except for the seven-horse field, eighth race, which will go for $43,343.

Post time for the Thursday, June 25, card will be at 1:10 p.m.