by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — Seven solid divisions of 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings will compete for a total purse of more than $180,000 in New York Sire Stakes action on Thursday (June 9) at Monticello Raceway.

As always, the sophomore pacers are the crème de la crème of the Sire Stakes and this year’s crop is no exception.

Two days after the NYSS for 3-year-old trotters, where a national season’s record was produced, there’s a good chance that something similar could happen on Thursday.

The NYSS 3-year-old paces will be contested in races one, four, five, seven, eight, nine and 10 and in each division there appears to be a standout. But, as racing fans know, somehow the ones who figure to win don’t always get the job done.

Along with the top colts come top drivers which is always a treat for the local fans. Among those coming are a pair of Monticello natives, Hall of Famer Cat Manzi and George Brennan. Joining them with mounts of their own are Daniel Dube, Jason Bartlett, Stephane Bouchard, Matt Kakaley and Ray Schnittker.

In race one, Flipper J, a $115,000 freshman winner, gets the oddsmakers’ nod from the five hole with Jason Bartlett aboard.

In race four Patrick Lachance’s Sir Ziggy’s Z Tam, a $223,000 freshman winner, appears to be the one to beat when the Art Major colt leaves from post four.

Mojo Terror, riding a four race win skein with a best clocking of 1:51 at Harrah’s Chester, will have Matt Kakaley at the lines when the Western Terror gelding leaves from the seven hole in race five.

Cat Manzi has the early favorite in race seven behind Overnight Delight from the pole position after good success at Yonkers Rraceway earlier this year.

The untested Western Victory comes in from Maine riding a five-race win streak in race number eight. James Hardy will do the teaming from the five hole behind the Western Terror colt whose most recent triumph was a 12 length, 1:55.3 victory at Scarborough Downs on May 28.

George Brennan gets the lines behind favored Roadside Delight in race nine. The Bettor’s Delight colt comes into the fray off a 1:50.1 victory at Tioga Downs in his last start.

And in the final split, race 10, local trainer Gary Messenger has an up and coming Art Major colt, Major Belle, who has won three of his four seasonal starts including a 1:59.2 triumph right here in his last start on June 1. Jimmy Taggart, Jr. will handle the driving chores.

Post time for the 13-race card will be at the usual 12:50 p.m.