by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

When world champion two year old trotting colt, Here Comes Herbie, competes in the $225,000 New York Sire Stakes on Monday afternoon, August 29 fans attending the races will receive a FREE Here Come Herbie hat while supplies last..

Here Comes Herbie is owned locally by Ray Schnittker, Steve Demeter and Herb Burns III and trained and driven by Schnittker.

On July 10 at Pocono Downs the son of Credit Winner established a world record for a two year old trotter on a five-eighths mile track when Schnittker reined him to a 15-length triumph in a time of 1:56 winning a division of the Reynolds Stakes.

At Goshen’s Historic Track on July 1 Here Comes Herbie established a track record there when Schnittker guided him to a 35-length triumph in a time of 2:00:4. Later Here Comes Herbie followed with a 2:02:4 victory in a New York Sire Stakes freshman trot at Saratoga Harness on July 21.

Thus far in his fledgling freshman campaign Here Comes Herbie has three wins and one second with earnings of $37,723.

“We are looking forward to having Here Comes Herbie compete in our Sire Stakes on Monday, August 29 because it seems wherever he has raced he always seems to drawattention” noted Eric Warner, the tracks Director of Racing. “And besides, he’ll probably have a real good shot at breaking our track record for 2 year old trotting colts.”

Currently Victory Speech holds the current standard of 2:02 when Jeff Gregory guided him to victory in a New York Sire Stakes event last season.

The hat giveaway is co-sponsored by the horse’s owners, Nutrena Feed Company, Mighty M Gaming at Monticello Raceway and Blue Chip Farms, the home of the colt’s sire, Credit Winner, who is currently the leading money-winning sire of two-year-olds this season.

Admission to Monticello Raceway is free so come out early to receive a hat while supplies last.

Post time for the first race is a 1:10pm.