Monticello, NY — The 2023 New York Sire Stakes makes its first stop at the Mighty M on Monday (June 19) when the 3-year-old pacing fillies take the stage.

The nine-race program features three NYSS races and three divisions of the Excelsior Series.

The $37,833 first Sire Stakes race is carded as race one and goes to post with a scant field of five. B On The Hunt will score from post four. In recent Sire Stakes competition, the daughter of Huntsville has had a place and a show finish; she will be driven by Jordan Stratton for trainer Cory Stratton. Kissin Joe (Mark MacDonald) starts from the rail for trainer Andrew Stafford.

The $38,533 second heat has the top two point earners in the division. Leading the way is Turn On The Charm. Starting from the rail, the offspring of Huntsville has been perfect thus far this season in the NYSS, recording wins recently at Buffalo and Saratoga and has banked over $68,000. She is trained by Bruce Clarke and will be driven by Marcus Miller.

Southwind Bella (post three) was a winner last start in Saratoga. She recorded a stellar win at Harrah’s Philadelphia when she torched the oval and earned a new speed badge of 1:50.2. Jack Pelling will drive for trainer Brett Pelling.

Hunting Season (post four) was one of the better fillies from last year, earning $114,190 during her freshman season for trainer Ray Schnittker. Mark MacDonald will drive.

The $38,533 final dash of Sire Stakes is in race eight. Earthwindfire will start from post five and has been installed the 5-2 morning line favorite. She was a winner last year at Monticello in this class. In her lone pari-mutuel start this year after a pair of qualifiers, she was victorious in her division of Sire Stakes at Saratoga in 1:53.3. The American Ideal sophomore is trained by Brett Pelling and will be driven by Jack Pelling.

The co-favorite is True Blue Hanover, who will start from the rail. She finished second last start in the Sire Stakes to Turn On The Charm. John Blazer trains the daughter of American Ideal and she will be driven by Jason Bartlett.

The three $20,000 Excelsior races are carded at races 2, 6 and 9. The point leader is Lady Jericho by virtue of her win and place finish. She starts from post six for trainer John Berger and will be driven by Jordan Stratton in race six. At The Hop has been straddled with outside post position seven. She was a winner last start out at the Spa. Mark MacDonald will handle the driving chores for trainer Jim Nickerson.

Post time for the nine-race card is 12:10 p.m.