Monticello, NY – The 2026 New York Sire Stakes return to Monticello Raceway on Monday (July 6) when 2-year-old filly trotters kick off the season. Twenty-nine freshman trotting fillies were entered, resulting in two divisions of $55,500 NYSS and two divisions of $20,000 Excelsior Stakes.
The first race of the 10-race card is the first division of $55,500 New York Sire Stakes with a competitive full field of eight, and for many of the fillies it will be there first pari-mutuel start. Five of the eight fillies have qualifying wins under their belt. Secret Lover from the rail has a pair of impressive Meadowlands qualifying wins, most recently in 1:55.2. The Chapter Seven filly is making her first start on a half-mile oval for trainer Per Engblom. Venturing out of Ohio is Miss Lady May, who also has a pair of wins, scoring in her first overnight at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows in 1:58.3 for trainer Jason McGinnis. George Ducharme brings Chapizzy, a winner in her debut at Vernon Downs in 2:02.1. Waxy Xavie scored in her last qualifier in 2:01 at Vernon for the newest member of the 7,000-win club, trainer/driver Jeff Gregory.
The second NYSS division is race 8 with a full slate of eight starters. The blueblood Kountry Plunge, a Chapter Seven filly, has two impressive gate-to-wire wins, taking a record of 1:55 in her last outing at the Meadowlands. Her dam Plunge Blue Chip was a sub-1:50 world champion for trainer/driver Ake Svanstedt. Every Last Dream has won her last two qualifiers, taking a record of 2:01.3 at Vernon for trainer Gates Brunet.
Race 3 is the first Excelsior division, with six starters. The final Excelsior dash is Race 6, with seven fillies going to post.
Post time for the 10-race card is 12:10 p.m. (EDT).