by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — As part of Monticello Raceway’s 50th Anniversary Season the Catskill Mountains oval initiated seven new world class stakes events which are referred to as the “Magnificent Seven.”

On Monday, June 25, the first of those events, the $378,000 Nevele Pride Stakes, will be contested and if warranted, eliminations will go a week earlier on June 18.

There are 40 3-year-old trotting colts who remained eligible for the Nevele Pride including Dexter Cup winner Manfinity, along with outstanding ’06 freshmen Stunt Man Hall, Hitwiththeladies and Rushmore Hanover, to mention a few.

Starting fee for the Nevele Pride is $5,000, but if an owner hasn’t kept his colt eligible, it can be supplemented for a $50,000 fee.

“I want everyone to know that we draw for the Nevele Pride next Wednesday, June 13, and if we get sufficient entries we’ll have eliminations on Monday, June 18,” noted Eric Warner, the track’s Director of Racing. “However, if elimination races are not necessary, those who enter will go directly to the Final on Monday, June 25.”

On June 5, Monticello Raceway kicked off its “Sizzling Summer Stakes Season” with the $332,000 New York Sire Stakes for 3-year-old trotting colts and over the next few months over $5.5 million will be up for grabs in stakes events, not only in the “Magnificent Seven” races but also included in that amount is the rich New York Sire Stakes program, whose purses in all divisions have dramatically increased since the installation of the video gaming machines.