Monticello, NY — On Monday afternoon (June 3), the entire nine-race card at Monticello Raceway was dominated by New York-sired trotters. A trio of New York Sire Stakes heats for 3-year-old colts and geldings headlined the action, with Excelsior contests serving as supporting events.

Winnerup sustained a last-to-first push in his New York Sire Stakes division at Monticello Raceway.

The first Sire Stakes division, carded as race one, was contested for a purse of $37,500. There were three different leaders through the first quarter, with Livingonthedash reaching that point in :29.2. Horns For Three overtook him nearing the half in :59.4, and from there Winnerup — who was fifth and last — was the first to move on the backstretch. Winnerup had gained to the outside of Horns For Three at the three-quarters, and out of the turn it was all Winnerup, who scored in 1:57.4 by 1-1/2 lengths.

It was the third win of the season and the second Sire Stakes win this year for the son of Credit Winner who is owned by the Purple Haze Stable.

“He was well in hand today,” exclaimed trainer-driver Trond Smedshammer after the race. “I never even pulled the ear plugs today.”

Mr Vicktor posted the fastest Sire Stakes mile of the afternoon and gave Tyler Buter one of two stakes wins on the card. Geri Schwarz photos.

Mr Vicktor and Tyler Buter turned in the most impressive performance of the afternoon in the $38,200 second division (race six). The son of RC Royalty easily dismissed his five rivals in a wire-to-wire 1:57.1 win, the fastest mile of the day. Mr Vicktor notched his second Sire Stakes win of the season and picked up his fourth win of the year. A large contingent of well-wishers converged on the winner’s circle following the race, among them owners Robert Santagata and Joe Lee, who share ownership with Diamond Pride LLC and trainer Jennifer Lappe.

In the $38,200 final heat (race nine), Lights Come On rated fractions of :29, :59.4 and 1:29, but pocket sitter Travel Winner out-finished the pace setter to score in 1:58.2 and give Buter a stakes double. Richard “Nifty” Norman trains the Credit Winner colt for owner James W. Fleming.

The winners in the New York Excelsior “A” contests were Kolin (2:01.2, Phil Fluet), Jason’s Camden (1:59.4, Jim Morrill Jr.) and Another Newyorker (2:01, Jason Bartlett).

Buter and Bartlett both scored driving doubles on the afternoon.