by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — The local boys nearly reined supreme when they drove the winners of three of the four $20,000 New York Sires Stake Late Closer Finals at Monticello Raceway on Monday, September 19.

Stephane Bouchard, third in driving victories here this season, added another to his total when he guided the Peter Pan Stables’ son of The Firepan, Pandarin Duck, to a five length triumph in a time of 1:57.3 in the late closer final for pacing colts. Sent off as the odds-on favorite despite having to start from the eight hole, Bouchard moved Pandarin Duck with cover at the half, took command in the final turn, and went on to an easy victory over Brutal Three, driven by Billy “Zeke” Parker, Jr. Third place went to Mayday Magic with leading driver Greg Merton at the controls.

Gary Messenger was the first of the homeboys to reach the winner’s circle in the NYSS late closer competition when he reined John O’Connor’s daughter of Movie Mogul, Longpond Emily, to a 2:01.3 score over Dynamic Kid and driver Rod LaFramboise in the $20,000 final for sophomore trotting fillies. The betting favorite, Credit Lady, driven by John Mongeon, got off to a slow start and had to come from far back just to finish third.

Claude Huckabone III added a couple of victories to his starting total of 106 when he won two races on the card, one of which was the NYSS late closer for three-year-old trotting colts. Realistic Dream, a son of Go Go Lauxmont who was overlooked by the betting public and sent off at odds of 21-1, surprised his competition when he powered to a 2:02.2 triumph for owner Casey Miller. Nowerland Alan, the betting favorite in the race in rein to Brian Cross, had to start from post position eight and was never closer than ten lengths from the leader in the early going and had to use an overland road to mount his charge. He was fifth at the three-quarters and then had to go three-deep in the final turn and, though he was making up ground in the deep stretch, he ran out of real estate and finished second, just a head behind the winner. Third place went to the pace-setter Marquee T with Mark Gingrich aboard.

The only non-local driver to win a heat in the NYSS late closer finals was Brian Allen when he scored a romping five length triumph with Philly Kadushin in the sophomore filly pacing division finale. Owned by Phil Kadushin and Joe D’Agostino, the daughter of Easter Sun Hanna stopped the timer in 1:59.1 and turned back Shokassie (Howie Okusko) and New York Fun (with Mike Merton at the controls).

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