by M. Kelly Young, executive director, Harness Horse Breeders of New York

Monticello, NY — With a name like Napoleon, it’s not hard to believe that this 2-year-old Credit Winner colt shrugged off equipment problems and an early mistake to win his $72,212 New York Sires Stakes division on Tuesday (August 28) at Monticello Raceway. A total of four divisions headed to post competing for combined purses of $288,848.

In his sixth lifetime start, Napoleon made his first career break in the first turn, but came back trotting and was on top of the field by the half to cruise home in 2:00.4. He is now a winner of three Sires Stakes legs and $79,806 in purses.

“He lost his toe weights in the warm-up and they put bell boots on him to try and replace the weights,” explained co-owner Sidney Korn. “We are thrilled he won today and this was the first time Stephane (Bouchard) drove him.”

Korn, who bred the colt with Alvin Jacobson, was joined by partners Ken Tucci, Larry Thomases and John Guarniere in the winner’s circle. Noel Daley trains the winner.

Holiday Credit scored in his division with driver Ron Pierce in 2:00, just one-fifth off the track record. The Credit Winner colt pulled out of the pocket and into the passing lane in the stretch and was just able to edge pacesetter and favorite Ace High Hall by a close nose under the wire.

“I thought we got beat,” a happy Pierce related in the winner’s circle following a review of the photo by the judges.

Holiday Credit earned the third win of his career and his second in a row for trainer Jimmy Takter and owners Christina Takter, John Fielding, Falkbalogen AB and Order By Stable. His victory snapped Ace High Hall’s three-race winning streak and was that colt’s first defeat since transferring into trainer Mark Ford’s stable.

Driver Brian Allen used a new race strategy with Velocity Hall and it proved to be a winning one. The colt cut the whole mile for the first time in his career and won in new 2:00.1 mark. Jonas Czernyson trains the son of Conway Hall for Thomas Dillon. He has now bankrolled $68,300.

DW’s Spitfire and trainer-driver Dan Daley used a first-over trip to secure a 2:02.4 victory, the second of the colt’s career. Ann-Mari Daley, Robert Pergament and Richard Lombardo own the son of Dilbert Hanover.

While Dilbert Hanover is less well known than other trotting sires in the state, he has made his mark on the New York Sires Stakes this year by earning four wins from just 11 starters and currently ranks fifth in the stallion standings.

“He produces good, easy going horses,” explained Daley, who trains several horses by Dilbert Hanover, in the winner’s circle. “And, they can trot.”