by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — New York-bred sophomore filly pacers were on display on Friday afternoon (June 6) at Monticello Raceway with four New York Sires Stakes and four Excelsior Series events.

The queen of the card turned out to be Spreester, when the daughter of American Ideal toured the double oval in a half-mile lifetime best of 1:54.1 to win her $29,850 split.

Geri Schwarz photo

Spreester was a 1:54.1 winner in her NYSS division.

“She was just great today,” noted driver Jason Bartlett. “We brushed to the top at the half and she scooted away and was pretty much in control from there on, especially when she kicked in a :28 last quarter.”

Spreester is undefeated at the Mighty M, having won twice in the Excelsior Series as a 2-year-old including the $45,000 series finale.

She came into today’s contest off a 1:53.2 victory in an Excelsior Series pace at Vernon Downs last Saturday and she handled the move up to the NYSS without a bit of trouble. The betting favorite, Better Chill Out, driven by Jeff Gregory, chased Spreester to the wire but finished 1-1/2 lengths behind the winner.

Owned by Kimberly Zabielski and trained by Paul Zabielski, Spreester paid $6.30 for win.

Jimmy Morrill Jr. won a pair of NYSS races, first with Just Add Vodka in 1:55.3 and then with Carlotta Blue Chip in 1:55.

Morrill worked out a perfect two-hole trip with Just Add Vodka when he shadowed pacesetter Up Front Elizabeth and driver Mark MacDonald until the top of the stretch and then rallied to a one length victory in that $29,850 split.

After the race Morrill was asked how Just Add Vodka handled in the race and he quickly replied, “She’s a Blue Chip horse; that’s all you need to know.”

The daughter of Art Major is owned by Blue Chip Bloodstock, Steve Demeter, Dr. Herbie Burns and Naheul Agosti and is trained by Julie Miller. Just Add Vodka returned a $3.10 win mutuel.

In a third $30,450 NYSS division, Morrill used the front-end route with Carlotta Blue Chip to score an easy three length triumph over Anegada and driver Jeff Gregory. Odds on favorite Scandalicious was never in the hunt and finished third, four lengths behind the winner.

Carlotta Blue Chip, an American Ideal filly, is owned by the Purple Haze Stable and trained by Trond Smedshammer. She paid $9.60 for win.

A final NYSS was won by It Was Fascination, driven by Scott Zeron. In that contest Zeron kept the daughter of American Ideal near the pace in third position and at the top of the lane they were two lengths behind the Jimmy Morrill Jr.-driven Blush Hanover. However It Was Fascination rallied and overtook the leader to score a head victory in a time of 1:55.2.

Owned by Riverview Racing, Alagna Racing, and Bay State Stable and trained by Tony Alagna, It Was Fascination was dismissed in the wagering and returned $23.60 for win.

Driver Scott Zeron made his Mighty M debut today and he also scored a victory in the Excelsior Series when he guided Elizabeth Blue Chip to a 1:58.2 triumph.

“Hey I love it here. I’m undefeated at Monticello,” he laughed.

Other Excelsior Series winners were Just Fine (Jeff Gregory) in 1:58, Whimsies (Matt Kakaley) in 1:57.2 and Ubettorbeturlife (Kakaley) in 1:57.1.