by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — Monticello Raceway will offer more than $165,000 to 2-year-old trotting colts and geldings in the New York Sire Stakes and Excelsior Series on Monday afternoon (Aug. 11). There will be three splits each in the NYSS and the Excelsior A and B Series.

In years past there was hardly a 2-year-old trotter who could even approach 2:00 on a double-oval, much less win in that time or faster. But those days are long gone.

At the Mighty M on Monday in NYSS action there are already three freshman colt trotters that own records of 2:00 or faster and none of those racing in the events have had more than four or five lifetime starts at this time.

The second $35,867 division, race five on the card, appears to be the most competitive and features Royal Deceptor, who won a NYSS trot at Yonkers Raceway on July 25 in 1:58.2. Mickey McGivern will handle the RC Royalty-Art Of Deception colt when they leave from the six hole.

However, they’ll have to contend with Ray Schnittker’s Gabe The Bear Dean (Lucky Chucky-Madam Hooch), who also won a NYSS event at Yonkers, but just a tick slower in 1:58.3. They’ll start inside Royal Deceptor in the four hole.

And with the Chris Lems-driven Wings Of Royalty (RC Royalty-Sparkling Cider), a 1:56 winner in his last start over Tioga Downs’ five-eighths-mile oval in post three, this heat figures to be a barn burner.

Mambo Blue Chip, an even 2:00 winner at Yonkers on July 25, is the early line favorite in the third $35,867 NYSS division, race eight. Jeff Gregory will handle the son of Lucky Chucky-Flirty Two when they leave from post three.

The afternoon card will kick-off with the first $35,867 NYSS split. Pier Ho Exotic, from the pylon position, figures to be the favorite at post time. John Cummings Jr. owns and will drive the Conway Hall-Rose Run Exotic gelding from the pole position. Pier Ho Exotic sports a 2:01.2 record in a NYSS division over Buffalo Raceway’s double-oval on July 9.

The undercard will feature three trots in the Excelsior Series Division “A” and three in the Excelsior Series Division “B” Series.

Purists will be in their glory on the 13-race card of Aug. 11. With four overnight races joining the nine NYSS trots, the betting card that day will feature 11 races for trotters and only two for pacers.

First race post time is set at 12:50 p.m.