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Friday, May 8, 2015

NYSS Kicks Off at Monticello Raceway

On Monday May 11th the New York Sire Stakes makes its 1st stop of the year at Monticello Raceway. On slate are 4 divisions of NYSS ($30,450), 2 Divisions of the Excelsior A ($15,000), and 2 divisions of Excelsior B ($6, 600) on the days 14 race card.  The caliber of the entries is indicative of the quality of the New York Sire Stakes program in recent years.  At first glance one would think that this was a Grand Circuit event with the likes of Crazy Wow and Habitat.  According to Monticello Race Secretary Eric Warner “This is an exceptional crop of Colts this year and the Track Record may be in jeopardy” The track record for 3 Year Old Trotting Colts is also the All Age Track Record of 1:55:2, which is held by Gural Hanover
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In the 2nd race, 1st division of Sire Stakes, Crazy Wow will start from Post 4. The Ron Burke trained son of Crazed comes into the race after 2 impressive qualifiers at the Meadowlands.  He was the winner of last year’s NYSS final. Crazy Wow is ranked 4th, right behind last year’s 2 year Trotting Colt of the Year Pinkman in the Experimental Time Ratings.  Last year he took a record of 1:54, with lifetime earnings of $232,928.

In the 4th race, local favorite Hollywoods Thatway will look to defend his 3 race Monticello win streak.  The son of Conway Hall is trained by Ed Hart, Billy Parker will be driving.
Habitat, fresh off a victory in the Dexter Cup at Freehold last weekend, will start from post 3, in race 8  At 2 he earned $534,407, lifetime earnings in excess of $600,000 and a 2 year old mark of 1:53.4.  His victories last year include the William Wellwood Final, Matron Stakes, and the Bluegrass Stake.

The final division of the Sire Stakes is in race 14, has 2 Hambletonian winning owners vying for victory, Malvern Burroughs of Malabar Man fame, and Paul Fontaine owner of 2013 winner Royalty For Life. Burroughs will send forth Mambo Blue Chip, and Fontaine Lucky Ten K for trainer George Ducharme