by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — New York bred sophomore trotters will be in the spotlight on Wednesday afternoon, June 11, at Monticello Raceway when the colts and geldings vie for a total purse in excess of $243,000 in six competitive splits, each going for an approximate purse of $40,000.

Though this will be the first stop on the road to the rich $150,000 finale in September, many of the trotting youngsters are just beginning their careers. However, some colts already have shown that they have great ability.

Arguably the most impressive thus far is Make It Happen, a strapping son of Conway Hall, bred by Brittany Farms and Daisy Acres, now owned by Eat My Dust Stable, Daisy Acres, Howard Taylor and Jack Adkins, who’ll start from post five in the fifth division, race eight on the card.

Trained and driven by Ray Schnittker, Make It Happen, who posted a 1:58.3 record as a freshman, will come into the race off two consecutive victories including a stunning 1:54.4 triumph in the $232,375 Empire Breeders Classic at Vernon Downs on May 26.

Though Make It Happen has drawn post position five he’ll nevertheless have his work cut out for him.

Holiday Credit, a son of Credit Winner and a winner of three of five races this year, including a 1:56.3 victory in the $185,000 Dexter Cup Final over Freehold Raceway’s double oval on June 10, may pose a problem. However, Make It Happen turned Holiday Credit away over the big track at Vernon Downs in their last confrontation.

Also in the contest is En Mar Stable’s Reigning Dough, a winner of his last two and four of his last five starts for amateur driver Alan Schwartz. His last race was a winning effort in 1:56.4 in a $24,000 Late Closer Final at Tioga Downs on May 25. The CR Excalibur colt, trained by Raheim Strong, will again be handled by Schwartz.

Hall of Famer Johnny Simpson, Jr. is back in the fray this time with Lon Frocione’s Big Apple Deli, a Conway Hall colt who is a winner of three of four starts this season. The colt’s 1:56 triumph at Vernon Downs on May 17 is his best thus far. Stephane Bouchard will handle Big Apple Deli and leave from post three in the second NYSS split, race four on the card.

And a lot of eyes will be on the local favorite, Four Starz Speed, the Conway Hall gelding who has won all four of his lifetime starts right here at the Mighty M for driver Jimmy Marohn. Owned by the Four Starzzzz Stables and trained by Mike Latham, Four Starz Speed’s best thus far is a 2:01.2 clocking on May 2. Marohn will again be in the pilot’s seat when the gelding starts from post position six in the fourth division, race six.

Though Four Starz Speed will have the local rooting section he’ll confront the toughest field of trotters he has seen thus far in his fledgling career.

Sir Prize Hall, a Conway Hall colt owned by the Purple Haze Stable and trained by Jessica Okusko, sports back-to-back triumphs at Vernon Downs on the big oval, the fastest in 1:56.2. Jimmy Morrill, Jr. will be in the sulky when they start from post position two.

The six $40,000 NYSS divisions are slated as races one, four, five, six, eight and 10 on the 12-race afternoon card. First post will be at 1:10 p.m.