by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — Five $13,200 divisions of 2-year-old trotting fillies in the New York Sire Stakes Late Closer program were the featured attractions at Monticello Raceway on Wednesday afternoon, August 18. Although a bevy of fillies in from the NYSS County Fair circuit got the prerace publicity, when the results were official none of them had reached the winner’s circle.

Geri Schwarz photo

Zeke Parker and Rejoycing’s 2:02.2 clocking was the fastest of the five NYSS Late Closer splits.

The fastest clocking of the five splits belonged to Thomas McTygue’s Rejoycing, who toured the Mighty M double oval in 2:02.2 for Zeke Parker. Sent off the odds-on favorite the daughter of Credit Winner defeated County Fair stick-out All That Dazzle who was driven by John Cross. Third place went to first time starter Majestic Jo with Kyle DiBenedetto aboard.

In the second fastest division, Ann-Marie Daley, Richard Lombardo and Bob Brooks’ Appomattox Lady, with Dan Daley at the controls, ran away and hid on their competition when the daughter of CR Excalibur scored a 10 length triumph in 2:02.3 over another NYSS County Fair standout, It’s A Diamond, who was in rein to John Stark, Jr. Vacation Lady garnered the show dough for Jordan Stratton.

But arguably the winner who made the most noise that day was Cuzzin Weezie, who lit up the toteboard when she returned a whopping $158 win payoff. John Stark, Jr. drove the Credit Winner filly to a 2:04.4 victory in her first lifetime start when they came from five lengths off the leaders at the top of the stretch to defeat My Gwenivere and Kyle DiBendetto by 1-1/4 lengths. Expensive Taste was third best for Dan Daley. The winner is owned by Edward and David Smith and James Giannuzzi.

Eddie Lohmeyer won his division behind Dreamy Dawn with a wire-to-wire, 2:05.3 performance in the Dream Vacation filly’s first time on a half-mile track. They were collared in mid-stretch by Forza Azzuri and Zeke Parker but Dreamy Dawn rallied and came back for a two length triumph. Take The Lid Off, a 23-1 shot, finished third for Perry Simser.

When asked if he was concerned when Parker’s filly (Forza Azzuri) collared him in the homestretch, Lohmeyer replied: “I softly urged her but if I really got after her and she made a break I would have blown $3,300 (second money). But she kept at her business and she came back to win it.”

Dreamy Dawn is owned by Lohmeyer Racing LLC.

Tony Mondi won the final split with a patient drive behind Lon Frocione’s Dream Ticket when he bided his time and then found room down the passing lane to rally for a neck triumph in 2:06. Fast-closing Andrea finished second for Jordan Stratton. Iroquoindianspring, who had five NYSS County Fair victories, cut the mile but faded and finished third for Kirk Desmond.

Mondi, who was happy with his filly’s performance, commented that Dream Ticket, though winless until Wednesday, has been racing tough in her previous four starts.

“We’ve been chasing Jezzy (Ray Schnittker’s outstanding filly) and we were in a lot easier today,” Mondi said about Dream Ticket’s victory.