By Shawn Wiles
The mountains were alive this weekend, as Monticello Raceway
held its annual Fireworks display, much to the delight of the large
crowd. The 10 race card featured 5 New York Sire Stake events for 2 Year
Old Trotting Fillies, each split raced for $21,800, 2 - Division A Excelsior’s
($15,000) and 1 - Excelsior’s B ($6,800). The heavy holiday traffic pushed back
the original post time of 5:30 to 6:00. Also on hand for the evening was
the Monticello Raceway Memorabilia Face Book group who were present for a
winners circle presentation in the 6th race, brought out of storage
for the event, was the original and grand NYC OTB Classic trophy.
For the majority of the fillies this was their first Pari
Mutuel start, and their first start under the lights. The fillies that
mind their manners fared very well during the card.
The first race of the evening an Excelsior’s B event,
saw Dan Dailey guide the RC Royalty lass I’ve Got Spirit to a wire to wire win
in 2:05:3 for owners Daley, Crawford and White. The heavy favorite, Stick of
Butter made an early break and was out of contention. In race 3, first
heat of the Excelsior A, trainer George Ducharme, picked up his 1st
of 2 wins on the card. She was the best on paper and lived up to her form
as driver Chris Lems steered Lindylicious to victory in 2:02:3 (LQ 29:2) The
daughter of Credit Winner was content to sit the pocket after Barn Doll made a
strong move to take the lead past the ¼ pole, after benefiting from the perfect
trip, she won by a neck.
Race 4 showcased the impressive Pink Power, owned by Albert
& Michelle Crawford, unfortunately the fractious filly made a start before
the gate left and was never in contention. The easy going, regal looking
filly, Royal Encore and Trond Smedshammer made the best of Pink Powers miscue
and grabbed the lead and stayed there until the top of the lane, until Charlie
Norris’s filly, who was on her best behavior and minded her manners scooted
home a winner in 2:01. Race 6 almost saw a track record as Winning
Princess crushed her foes. Driver Jim Morrill made a big move with the
filly past the quarter mile marker and didn’t look back, she has 12 lengths on
the filed as she passed the ¾ maker in a swift 1:29:1, she tripped the tele
timer in a National Season record of 2:00:3.
The George Ducharme and Chris Lems combo teamed up again in
race 9 with Swinging Royalty. The confidant RC Royalty filly scored in
2:02.
Vernon horseman were on their game this evening, Dan Daley
won the 1st race, and he would have had a double on the card, but
was set down due to a Eurorail violation in the 7th race with Mai
Tai Monkey. Gates Brunet won the 5th race, a non-winners event
with Panamanian Hanover, and then capped off the evenings last event with Love
Crazy Love, the Crazed filly is owned by Crawford Farms and Ted Gewertz. George
Ducharme has the best night of all, so far this season he has been very
successful at the Mighty M and tonight was not any different has we won 2
events and got checks for 4 out of his 6 starters.
After the conclusion of the evening card, race goers were
treated to Monticello Raceways annual Fireworks, fans both young and old
enjoyed the 25 minute show.
