by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — Ever since the growth of the rich New York Sire Stakes program, breeding has seen a boon in the state as top-flight stallions have made their way to various breeding farms in the State. And from their well-bred offspring more colts than ever are not only making the races but excelling.

At Monticello Raceway on Thursday afternoon, July 9, 55 freshman colt and gelding pacers will be vying for a total purse in excess of $151,000, which will be split in seven divisions.

An unusually high number of entries is probably because the Mighty M is the first stop for the 2 year-olds on the road to the rich $175,000 final at Vernon Downs in late September and obviously at this time there are no stick-outs. However, some of that will change after these races are contested and as always the cream will rise to the top before it’s all over.

But at this point most owners figure that there’s a chance that they may have the cream of the crop; or at least they want to give their youngsters a chance to excel.

Most of the entrants either have at least one pari-mutuel start or some good clockings at Historic Track, which held events for some of the NYSS freshmen last week.

One of the most promising colts entered is Dr. Scott Woogen and Brenda Messenger’s Gone Baby Gone, who is undefeated in two lifetime starts and already is the owner of a 1:58 record taken right here on June 25 against older pacers. Trainer Gary Messenger has the Pro Bono Best-Soft Sell gelding in top form and will hand the lines to “Zeke” Parker when the colt starts from post position four in the third NYSS split, race four on the 13-race card.

Another already showing special talents is Kenny Jacobs’ He’s Gorgeous, a son of Art Major-So Ravishing who won both of his qualifiers at the Meadowlands — the fastest in 1:58.1 — and then was victorious at Historic Track on July 2, touring the double oval in 2:01. Trainer Linda Toscano will have Jimmy Morrill, Jr. at the controls when the colt starts from post position two in the fifth race.

In that race He’s Gorgeous will have to contend with another very well respected colt, Forty Carrots (Riverboat King-Mathamomics), who was a 1:56 winner at Vernon Downs on July 3. Owned by Richard Clair and Lance Gordon, trainer Jim Dailey will be in the pilot’s seat when they start from the eight hole.

Linda Toscano will also send out Capital Blue Chip, a son of Art Major-Ichiban Blue Chip, who cruised to a 1:59.4 victory at Historic Track on July 2 in his first lifetime start. Jimmy Morrill, Jr. will drive for owners Stake Your Claim Stable and Fred Wallace when the colt leaves from post position six in the second race.

Trainer and co-owner Chet Poole is very excited about Flexjet, a son of Village Jove-No Sweets Please who is two-for-two lifetime, especially off his 1:58 clocking in his last start on June 27 at Saratoga Raceway. Danny Cappello, Jr. will drive for Poole and his partners, Winbak Farm, Norman Kelapire and Deborah Chase, when the colt starts from the pole position in race six.

But as happens in harness racing, especially with youngsters starting out, there will be some colts who will improve quickly and those who are good today may not be the ones near the top later in the season. And visa versa — colts who start slowly may jump up and be the leaders later in the season.

From all indications, though, it appears that the freshman colt pacers in the NYSS will be a very interesting division throughout the season.