by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — The beat goes on in the rich New York Sire Stakes program with three Late Closer divisions for 3-year-old trotting fillies on tap at Monticello Raceway on Tuesday afternoon, August 3. Two seven-horse splits will each be contested for a purse of $13,200 while the six-horse field — in race one — will compete for $13,100. They will go as races one, four and five on the 15-race card that day.

These events brought out some of the better fillies that have been competing in the NYSS County Fair program.

In the first division, race one, Friendship, who has four wins, the fastest a 2:08 mile over the racetrack in Owego, N.Y. — at the Tioga County Fair — will start from post seven as the 3-1 second choice with owner/trainer Ron Abbott at the controls.

However, Neverhitthebreaks (9-2) with Jordan Stratton driving could be the sleeper in the contest. She owns a 2:00.2 mark taken at Vernon Downs on June 3 and will start from the four hole.

In the fourth race Dream State, a winner of five of seven seasonal starts on the NYSS County Fair circuit, owns a 2:06 mark taken at the Afton Fair on July 22. She’ll get the services of Zeke Parker when they leave from post position four.

But local favorite Majestic’s Joy (7-2) comes into the event off a 2:05.4 victory here in her last start. Kyle DiBenedetto will handle the driving chores for trainer David Dziengiel.

And in the final split, race five, L Dee’s Maggie (5-2) will be the one to beat when Bruce Aldrich, Jr. drives her from post four. A 2:02 winner at Saratoga in NYSS Late Closer action, the Conway Hall filly appears to be much the best in here.

Post time for the Tuesday afternoon card is at 12:50 p.m.