by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY –– When Monticello Raceway presents its $343,000 William J. Sullivan Memorial Trot on Monday, July 9, which is named for the memory of the track’s beloved former general manager who passed away in 2001, most of North America’s outstanding older trotters will do battle.

With such stalwarts as Vivid Photo, Sand Vic, Lavec Dream, JM Vangogh, Med Vac, Man About Town, RC Royalty, and Beachnut Brand among the 17 entries, Director of Racing Eric Warner is well pleased with the turnout.

“We were lucky enough to attract the best trotters in North America to race in our Sullivan Memorial,” he said. “And the best part for those who entered is that we will be racing for more money than initially advertised.

“Not only did we have a good turnout, but when the owners of Lavec Dream paid $20,000 to supplement their fine trotter our advertised purse of $275,000 got bumped up to $343,000.”

The older trotters have been split into two separate divisions and they will go as races five and eight on the Monday afternoon card of July 9.

P Kleinhans Racing Incorporated’s Lavec Dream has drawn the two hole in the $25,000 first division and has been installed as the early line favorite. He comes into the contest off back-to-back 1:52 and change victories at Mohawk Racetrack.

The outstanding JM Van Gogh, owned by Paul Chambers and John Mello, has already bankrolled $195,000 and has scored in 1:56 over a double oval.

Former Mighty M track record holder, Chip Campbell’s RC Royalty, who had a big year last season, is just getting underway this year. Last year he set a Monticello sophomore trotting record with a 1:57.4 victory and now with two starts under his belt this season he’ll be ready for his best, especially from the rail position.

But arguably the star of the race is the great Vivid Photo. Roger Hammer and Todd Schadel’s 2005 Hambletonian winner, who has already bankrolled almost $2.4 million, will certainly be the one to beat, especially when the big chips are down. He’ll start from post two in the second split.

However, he’ll have some stiff competition in the presence of August Miedel’s Sand Vic, who has over $2 million in purse money himself.

All in all, both eliminations figure to be barn burners and the local railbirds will get an opportunity to see the best there is.

The first division lines up this way: RC Royalty (#1- Dan Daley); Lavec Dream (#2-Yannick Gingras); JM Van Gogh (#3-Jeff Gregory); Ripped (#4-Greg Merton); Enough Talk (#5-Brian Mattison); Swan Image (#6-David Miller); and Abbey Road C (#7-Keith Jones).

The second division is as follows: Med Vac (#1-Larry Stalbaum); Vivid Photo (#2-Roger Hammer); Beachnut Brand (#3-Billy Parker, Jr.); Sand Vic (#4-Brian Sears); Jake’s Nordic (#5-Jeff Gregory); Self Professed (#6-Stephane Bouchard); Ira K (#7-Pat Lachance); and Man About Town (#8-Yannick Gingras).

The first four finishers in each division will comprise the William J. Sullivan Memorial Final on Monday afternoon, July 16.

Post time for both Monday afternoon race cards is at 1:10 p.m.