by John Manzi

MONTICELLO, NY — As the New York Sires Stakes program draws close to the finish this season and the participating horses each vie for a berth in their respective $175,000 Finals — all of which will be contested at Yonkers Raceway in mid-September — four nearly $50,000 divisions for sophomore pacing fillies will go to post at Monticello Raceway on Monday afternoon, August 25.

With just one leg remaining — at Yonkers Raceway on September 2 — before the highest money earners dash for the big cash, the races at the Mighty M on Monday afternoon loom big.

Already, some are assured of a berth in the $175,000 Final but for others a good showing at Monticello could mean a chance for a big payday.

Highlighting the Monticello Raceway August 25 card are; $337,000 winner, Artimittateslife; $186,000 winner Madam Countess; $120,000 winner First Draw; $100,631 winner JK Majorette, $133,000 Hannah Isabel, and $106,000 winner Diva Delight.

Though the aforementioned have each passed the century mark in money won this year by no means can anyone count-out their competitors in their respective divisions.

However, Artimittateslife, conditioned by local trainer Eddie Hart has beat the best and comes into her $49,932 division as a 2-1 favorite off six wins in 10 starts. Stephane Bouchard will handle the driving chores for Canadian owners Robert Young, Paul Gazzola and Brian Barton. The Art Major-Oven Mitt filly will start from post position seven in the seventh race on the 13-race card.

Among her competition in that contest is William and Jack Heinz’ Diva Delight who is trained by Jim Perry and will be handled by Jimmy Marohn, Jr. The daughter of Bettors Delight-Pacific Destiny, a winner of six of 12 this year, will start inside of Artimittateslife from post four.

In the eighth race First Draw and Madam Countess lock horns. The former, an Art Major-Western Duel filly trained by Linda Toscano for the Stake Your Claim Stable owns a record of 1:53 taken at Woodbine earlier this year. The latter, an Erv Miller-trained daughter of Art Major-Federov who has won seven of ten this will have Jimmy Morrill, Jr. in the bike. She’s owned by the Mig Racing Stable and Louis Willinger.

And the Linda Tocano-trained JK Majorette, the pride of the 3 Brothers Stable will have Stephane Bouchard aboard when she starts from post seven in the fifth race on the card. The Art Major-A Yankee Classic filly has won five of 10 this year.

The 13 race card gets kicked off with the first $49,032 NYSS split which will feature Hannah Isabel, a six time winner for trainer Jean Drolet. The daughter of Bettors Delight-Ru Girl, owned by Marilyn and Heiman Gross, will have Yannick Gingras in the sulky.