by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — Five $38,000 divisions of New York’s finest sophomore colt trotters are on tap on Thursday, July 29, at Monticello Raceway in races one, two, four, six and eight on the 15-race card.

Ray Schnittker has a couple starting Thursday that have raced in the Yonkers Trot, the first Jewel of the Triple Crown. They are Big Stick Lindy — he finished fourth in the eliminations — and Shaq Is Back who finished third in his elim but broke stride in the rich final.

Both colts are favored in their respective divisions, and both will start from the pole position. Big Stick Lindy, a son of Conway Hall, is in race two and Shaq Is Back, a Credit Winner colt, is in race eight. Schnittker will handle the driving chores.

Then there’s Blacktuxwhitesocks, last year’s winner of the $175,000 NYSS Final. This son of Credit Winner won a NYSS event at Historic Track on July 4 in 1:57.3 and has three victories in seven seasonal starts this year. Jeff Gregory will handle the driving chores from post six in race one.

Aruba Vacation, a Dream Vacation colt, is getting better with every start. He’s won his last two and has four wins and two seconds and a record of 1:56.1 in six outings this season. Fern Paquet will drive when Aruba Vacation leaves from the two hole in race eight. He’s second choice on the morning line behind Shaq Is Back.

Strong Hope, a CR Excalibur colt, already this season a winner of $143,000 with a record of 1:55.3, certainly has class. Mike Vanderkemp will be in the sulky when Strong Hope starts from post position two in race two against Big Stick Lindy.

Race favorites in the other NYSS events include Celebrity Blue Chip, post three in race four, and Margarita Man, post six in race six. Jason Bartlett will drive the former while Schnittker will be at the lines of the latter.

Post time for what will be a great afternoon of racing is at 12:50 p.m.