Monticello, NY — Two-year-old trotting males were center stage on Monday (Aug. 1) at Monticello Raceway, with more than $140,000 in purses up for grabs.

Kierkegaard K led from start to finish to score in 1:58.3. Geri Schwarz photo.

In the first heat of New York Sire Stakes action, racing for a purse of $53,500, Kierkegaard K led from start to finish to score in 1:58.3. Starting from post three, the Ake Svanstedt trainee was in complete control the entire mile. He had a four-length lead at the half and it remained unchanged at the finish. Jax Spratt (Wally Hennessey) benefited from a perfect trip to garner the place spot, followed by Unique Style (Mark MacDonald).

It was the first lifetime win for the son of Chapter Seven-Gone Baby Gone S. He is owned by Knutsson Trotting Inc.

The second heat was worth $54,500. After the gate left, it saw three horses break stride by the time they hit the first turn. Among them was favored The Gruffalo.

Going into the first turn, Wally Hennessey with Wild Bill Kelso had breakers to the front of him and to the inside, yet his mount kept his composure and stayed on gait and cut the mile. As the pack hit the three-quarter marker in 1:29.4, Cecil Hanover took a shot at the leader but was unable to make up any ground, with Wild Bill Kelso tripping the timer in 1:59.1. Barney Goldstein (Brett Crawford) mounted a strong challenge but came up a long neck short. Finishing third was Kilgore S (Brian Sears).

The high stepping son of Crazy Wow-Broadway Jo Ell is owned by Runthetable Stables and is trained by Jim Campbell. This win was his second of the season after his other win in NYSS company at Buffalo.

In Excelsior A class, racing for a purse of $15,000, Jim Devaux scored aboard the pocket sitting City Of Hope (Met’s Hall-Doin The City) in 1:59.1 for trainer David Dewhurst, overtaking Daley Rep (Dan Daley) at the wire. You Got It won in 2:01.1 for trainer Marcus Melander. The son of Chapter Seven-Tweet Me is owned by Allister Stables.

In the lone Excelsior B race, Crazy Fool (Crazy Wow-Winkys Gal) won in 1:59.3 for co-owner-trainer-driver Claude Huckabone Jr. in a wire-to-wire performance. Anne Morgan and Richard Dieck share ownership.

Sire Stakes action returns to Monticello Raceway on Monday (Aug. 8) with 2-year-old trotting fillies.