by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — Rain certainly put a damper on the afternoon card at Monticello Raceway on Monday, August 23, one which featured over $180,000 up for grabs for sophomore pacing fillies in the rich New York Sire Stakes program.

Still, the series stalwart, Galimony, did her usual thing when she won her $60,000 split in a time of 1:59.2, which turned out to be the fastest of the three divisions, and her triumph gave Jimmy Morrill, Jr. two NYSS driving victories on the card.

Besides his triumph with Galimony, Morrill also won a division with Max’s Leading Lady in 2:01.2. A final split went to the Jason Bartlett-driven Anndrovette in a 2:00.2 clocking.

Geri Schwarz photo

Galimony and Jimmy Morrill, Jr. won the fastest NYSS division in 1:59.2 over the muddy track.

But most eyes were on Galimony, a daughter of Artiscape who already had bankrolled over $273,000 prior to the race and she did not disappoint.

Morrill gunned her to the lead and she toured the double oval unchallenged and finished two lengths ahead of Laugh Away, driven by Jason Bartlett. Hartangel garnered the show dough for Stephane Bouchard.

The filly’s trainer Linda Toscano joined Morrill in the winner’s circle for the blanket presentation and was pleased with Galimony’s performance.

“She’s been real good all season long and she didn’t seem to have any trouble defeating this field,” Toscano said as she helped adjust the blanket on the filly on the windy and rainy afternoon.

Stake Your Claim Stable is the proud owner of Galimony who paid just $2.10 for win.

Morrilll won the second division with Max’s Leading Lady in a thrilling stretch drive which commanded a three-horse photo to determine the winner.

After Ray Scnittker and Barks Like A Dog took the early lead Morrill pulled the two-hole to gain command and led the rest of the way though in the homestretch four horses swarmed in on them and three hit the finish wire nearly simultaneously. But Max’s Leading Lady held on for a head victory over Glacier Girl and Stephane Bouchard who charged down the passing lane but ran out of racetrack. Love And Honor (D.R. Ackerman) was also flying at the end but she had too far to come and though she was third in the photo she was but two heads behind the winner.

Max’s Leading Lady, a daughter of Art Major who added another $30,000 to the $125,000 she came into the contest with, is owned by Blue Chip Bloodstock, Robert Horowitz and Steve Demeter. Horowitz also doubles as the filly’s trainer. She paid $4.40 for win.

A final event saw odds-on Anndrovette make a break and still win in a time of 2:00.2.

After Angel From Above and Jimmy Morrill took command on the first turn Anndrovette’s driver Jason Bartlett wanted to re-take and when he moved his filly to the outside she made a break. However, Bartlett got her back on stride after losing precious ground and by the time the field had reached the half way point Anndrovette was on the lead and in command.

From there she cruised and when Eric Goodell made a strong challenge with Shaky Hanover Bartlett let out a notch and Anndrovette was away by open lengths and finished a four length winner over Lindy’s Bandita while Skaky Hanover got shaky in the deep stretch and finished third.

Asked why Anndrovette made a break heading to the quarter pole Bartlett explained, “She bared-out a little and took a bad step but she came back rather quickly. She paced a good last half (:58.2) over the muddy track and was real strong at the finish.”

Mark Kesmodel trains and co-owns the daughter of Riverboat King with Joe Davino and Jeff Bamond. She paid $3.10 for win.