Monticello, NY — Monticello Raceway featured the cream of the crop of New York State’s top 3-year-old pacing colts on Monday (July 24). The afternoon almost saw a track record, great betting pools and a temperamental teletimer.

Prior to the first heat of the New York Sire Stakes, the clouds opened up and doused the track during a quick, five-minute rainfall. Racing for a purse of $60,300, Hurrikane Hunter (Dan Dube) made the front end in :28 while Huntinthelastdolar, the 4-5 favorite with Scott Zeron, worked hard on the outside to get the lead. After putting in a few extra steps in the paddock turn, he finally cleared to get the lead just before the half-mile station in :56.2.

Thunder Hunter Joe won by 5-1/2 lengths in 1:52.1. Melanie Merton photo.

As he rounded the first turn down the backside, he was again putting in steps. Eventually, he rolled off his feet, and made a break. Zeron and Dube did a masterful job in not creating a pile-up behind them.

This cleared the way for Thunder Hunter Joe (Tyler Buter) as he was on the move and in high gear before the miscue on the front end. He hit the next panel in 1:24.4. Coming off the last turn, Metal Man (Matt Kakaley) took aim at the leader briefly, but to no avail, as Thunder Hunter Joe would win by 5-1/2 lengths in 1:52.1. That was just one tick off the track record held by For A Better Time. Metal Man finished second, followed by Duval Street (Jason Bartlett).

Nick Devita trains Thunder Hunter Joe, a son of Huntsville-Thunder Angel. Monday’s score was his second Sire Stakes win on the year and pushed his seasonal tally to $125,766.

The second heat saw eight sophomore pacing colts behind the gate vying for a piece of the $60,300 purse on the line. American Fling (Mark MacDonald) was first to the front end but not for long, as the 2-1 I Was Tricked (Zeron) popped out of the two hole to grab the lead before the opening panel in :27.3. The positions remained unchanged at a soft half in :57.

Down the backside the second time around, the 1-2 betting favorite Goldin Greatness (Bartlett) was the first to pull and unleashed a wicked brush to the front, hitting the next station in 1:25.1. Turning for home, I Was Tricked took his best shot at Goldin Greatness but came up 1-3/4 lengths short as Goldin Greatness uncorked a final quarter of :27.1 and was a winner in 1:52.2. Taste Of Honey (Jordan Stratton) was third.

It was the second consecutive Sire Stakes win for Goldin Greatness and trainer Chris Ryder.

In Excelsior action, Demon Boy took his dash in 1:55.1 ($20.60). He was driven by Luke Hanners and is trained by Kevin Reynolds Jr. It was his second Excelsior win for the year.

Next up saw This Dog Will Hunt (Buter) win his first race of the year in 1:54.2 ($21.00) for trainer Mike Simons.

Johnny Sack (MacDonald) scored in a wire-to-wire win in 1:56.1 ($3.50). The 3-5 favorite won by 1-3/4 lengths over Twin B Kingston (Marcus Miller). The son of American Ideal is trained by Ray Schnittker, who co-owns the gelding along with Ted Gewertz and Nolamaura Racing.

Huntsville ruled the day with four winners on the eight-race card that handled $533,334, with a per race average handle of $66,666.

Sire Stakes action returns next Monday (July 31) when the 3-year-old trotting colts visit the famed Catskill Mountain half-mile oval. Post time is at 12:10 p.m.