by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway
Monticello, NY — Union Man Hanover has more than held his own against the top freshman pacing colts in the rich New York Sire Stakes. Now the son of Artiscape-Up Front Rose brings the favorite’s role to his $12,200 division of the NYSS late closers at Monticello Raceway on Wednesday afternoon (September 28).
The Linda Toscano pupil has been tabbed at 9-5 on the morning line in his split which will be race number four on the Mighty M’s 15-race card that day. He comes into the event off a 1:55.4 triumph at Vernon Downs against late closer colts on September 16. Prior to that, Greg Merton guided Union Man Hanover to a 1:56.1 NYSS victory at Batavia Downs on August 23.
Greg Merton will again handle the driving chores when Union Man Hanover starts from the two hole. In nine starts the colt has bankrolled more than $50,500 for owners Stake Your Claim Stable, Bay’s Stable LLC and D.J. Baer.
In all, four $12,200 divisions will go to post as races one, four, five and eight.
Winbak Farm’s Winbak Shake is favored in race one despite leaving from the seven hole. John Stark, Jr. trains and will drive the Dream Away-Shake Rattle Run gelding who has three wins in seven starts and a record of 1:55.2 taken at Vernon Downs on August 18.
County Fair stalwart Wright Road, a son of Pan Cartwright–For The Road, has nine seasonal victories, the fastest a 1:59.1 triumph while winning the NYSS County Fair Final at Batavia Downs on September 5. Tommy Garcia trains for owner Tina Rockwell and Kyle DiBenedetto will drive Wright Road from the pole position in race five.
The final NYSS late closer split has another Linda Toscano-trained colt, Artillery Major, as the early line favorite. With a 1:58.4 victory in Historic Track’s Landmark Stakes back in July, the Art Major-Long Island Lolita colt has amassed purses in excess of $22,000 for owner Kenny Jacobs. Brandon Simpson will be in the pilot’s seat when Artillery Major leaves from the pylon position.
Post time for the first race that afternoon will be at 12:50 p.m.