by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — Over $330,000 will be up for grabs for sophomore pacing colts on Wednesday afternoon (July 11) in a New York Sires Stake at Monticello Raceway. And in spite of the event being split into six divisions, each is worth $55,412.

The video gaming machines have not only helped the horsemen race for more money but it also has been a boon for the breeders in the state. New York breds currently race for the biggest purses in sires stakes and with the influx of great stallions into New York their progeny can take on the world.

On July 11, six seven-horse fields of outstanding youngsters will grace the Mighty M Card and go as races one, two, four, five, eight and nine on the track’s 13-race card.

Among the outstanding colts that will be in action include Forensic Z Tam, The Best, Panedict Arnold, Wealth Manager, and Joey Rico.

Forensic Z Tam will come into the event off a 1:51.2, five length romp in sires stakes action at Vernon Downs on June 23. The Bettor’s Delight colt won an elimination of the Art Rooney at Yonkers in 1:52.4 and was second, beaten a half length by Southwind Lynx in $1 million Rooney Final. Rated as the 6-5 favorite on the morning line in his split, race four, Forensic Z Tam, who has almost $292,000 on his card this year, will have Patrick Lachance in the pilot’s seat. He’s owned by Z Tam Racing LLC of Nanuet, N.Y.

The Best, a son of Pro Bono Best, was a 1:58.4 winner at Goshen on June 30 and scored a 1:52.3 triumph in a NYSS late closer at Tioga Downs on June 2. He was a close second — beaten a head — to Kenneth J at Vernon Downs on June 23 in a 1:50.4 clocking. Joshua Marks will be in the sulky when The Best starts from post three in the first race on Wednesday. He is owned by Rocco Manzi of Vernon, N.Y.

Peter Pan Stable’s Panedict Arnold figures to the one to beat in his division, race two on the card. The Noble Ability colt was a 1:56.1 winner at Goshen in his last outing on June 30 and owns a 1:52.4 record taken at the Meadowlands on March 23. George Brennan will be at the controls when Panedict Arnold leaves from post position six.

Wealth Manager is a winner of four of seven starts this year, his last an 11 length laugher in 1:51.4 in NYSS action at Vernon Downs on June 23. David Earl Towne owns the Bettor’s Delight colt and Howard Okusko, Jr. will handle the driving chores when they start from the five hole in the fifth race.

Joey Rico, a 1:52 winner at the Meadowlands earlier this year, has been installed as the 5-2 favorite on the morning line in race eight. Owned by the Arabest Racing Stables of Syracuse, N.Y., Joey Rico will have George Brennan on the driver’s seat when the Bettor’s Delight colt starts from post two in the eighth race on the Mighty M card that day.

And oddly, Joey Ricco (spelled Ricco) was Brennan’s stepfather when he was a youngster and it was Ricco who is responsible for Brennan becoming involved in harness racing.

Post time for the first race on Wednesday afternoon is at 1:10 p.m.