Monticello, NY – June 23 has been circled on many trainers’ calendars since the beginning of the year as it marks the first New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) of the year for 2-year-old trotting fillies. This will be the first pari-mutuel start for all fillies.
Twelve fillies were entered in the NYSS, forcing two splits each worth $53,500 with nine entries in the $20,000 Excelsior Series.
In the first heat of NYSS, Nezuko Kamado S (PP3), who is trained by Marcus Melander and will be driven by Brett Beckwith, is the 5-2 morning-line favorite. The Chapter Seven filly scored in her first baby race in 1:59.4, with a last quarter of :27.3. Shoppin For Gucci (PP4) finished second in both of her qualifying outings and is 3-1. The $350,000 Lexington Selected Yearling Sale acquisition Chapter Seven filly is trained by Annie Stoebe and will be driven by Tyler Buter.
Overalls (PP1) has been installed the 5-2 morning-line favorite in the second division, carded as race seven. The smooth gaited Devious Man filly has been impressive in both of her qualifiers; she is trained by Cory Stratton and will be driven by Jordan Stratton. Sharp Seven (PP4 – Jeff Gregory) has two winning Vernon Downs qualifier under her belt for trainer George Ducharme. The local connection is JM’S Joy (PP3). She is owned, trained and will be driven by top Monticello Raceway driver Greg Merton.
The lone dash of the $20,000 Excelsior Series has a field of nine with the George Ducharme entry of Elqueen (PP4 – Jason Bartlett) and Makeittothebell (PP3 – Brett Beckwith) the early 5-2 favorite. Dan Daley’s Saparilla Sal (PP6) is 3-1 after a winning Q outing in 2:00.2.
Post time is 12:10 p.m. (EDT). Entries and results are available Monticello Raceway’s website here.