By: Shawn Wiles
With school, almost in session, the local stock of caulk was
in short supply as 5 of the 6 Sire Stake events where won by favorites at
Monticello Raceway on Monday afternoon August 28. Horse’s on the front
end, won 9 of the cards 10 races on a chilly afternoon with temperatures only
in the mid 60’s with a strong intermittent back side wind.
The first division of Sire Stakes, a 6-horse field went for
a purse of $39,200, the race unfolded as anticipated, which saw the heavy
favorite In A Single Bound, a winner of 4 NYSS events already this year, carve
out fractions of 27.4, 56:3, 1:25.1 in a wire to wire effort to score well in
hand in 1:53.2 by 2 lengths, Cultural Paradise (Scott Zeron) was 2nd
followed by Americas Fleet (Marcus Miller).
The gelded son of Roll With Joe –
Armbro Bianca earned his 9th victory of the year for owners Dennis
and Simone Noud of Saratoga Springs NY, he was steered to victory by regular
Billy Dobson and trainer Monica Krist. The win upped his seasonal
earnings to over $155,000 and remains the leading point earner in his category.
Benji’s Best, starting from the rail was making his 1st
start since his Empire Breeders Classic consolation win on August 20 at Tioga
Downs. Matt Kakaley, who has enjoyed an excellent Sire Stakes meet at
Monticello Raceway this summer got the driving assignment when Dave
Miller/Heavens Gait were a late scratch. Kakaley rated Benji’s Best to
the 1/4 in of 28.1, Outcast Blue Chip (Jim Morrill Jr.) who made a brief bobble
in the first turn, had regained his composure and was parked 4th at
the half, as the field past that marker in 57.0 Outcast Blue Chip was still
parked at the ¾ marker in 1:25.3 as he continued the overland route as Benji’s
Best continued to show the way.
At the apex of the last turn, Outcast
Blue Chip got rough in the rigging and made another break, after gaining his
composure, but losing his momentum, he gave Benji’s Best a brief scare at the
wire and finished second. Benji’s Best held him at bay and took the win
of 1:53.4, the win gave Benji’s Best back to back wins. Trainer and
co-owner Scott Blackler was on hand for the winner’s circle ceremony, the son
of Roll With Joe - Winbak Isabella is owned by Paul Harvey.
The field of 6 for the final division of the last Sire Stake
heats of the afternoon was trimmed to 5 starters by the absence of Heavens
Gait, who scratched sick. This left Chip Walther as the new favorite, but
to no avail as he made an uncharacteristic break going into the first
turn. As it was for the entire card, the front-end speed held up as
Pointomygradson and Scott Zeron lead the field to the quarter mile stanza in
28.2 with 3 lengths on the field and carved the rest of the mile in 57.2 1:25.3
to win complete authority in 1:53.1, LQ 27.3 for the fastest mile of the day
and a new lifetime mark.
Outrajus Blue Chip (Jordan Stratton) was 2nd
followed by What’s Going On (Matt Kakaley) Pointomygradson is a bay gelding by
American Ideal – Sangaal, he is trained by Chris Ryder for owners Gold Standard
Equine
The Excelsior A class had 2 heats, each racing for a purse
of the standard $15,000. In the first heat saw Sir Pugsley wrestle the
lead from Falcons Chance at the ¼ pole in 27.4. Sir Pugsley held the
lead, to score in 1:54.3 for Jim Morrill’s 1st win of the card.
It was Sir Pugsley 2nd consecutive win for owners Mortberg Trust and
trainer Donna Marshall. In the final division, the short 5 of five only had win
and place wagering. The dominant theme of the day held up as the morning line
favorite Steuben Jobee (PP2) went down the road to score a wire to wire win in
1:54.1 for trainer Tracy Brainard, the win was Morrills second on the
card. Howard Taylor owns the son of American Ideal for his 2nd
win in this class, upping his seasonal earnings to almost $29,000.
The lone Excelsior B Division went to the betting favorite,
Project Rock who sat the pocket the entire mile behind pace setter Pembroke
Joey (Jordan Stratton) and came first over at the ¾ pole to win by a length in
1:56.3 for winning owners Ian Behar and Kristie Leigh Farms. The son of
Roll With Joe - Endless Project is trained by Ed Hart and was driven by
Bruce Aldrich for his 3rd win of the year.
American Ideal lead all sires with 3 sons entering the
winners circle, he was followed by Roll With Joe with 2 winners. NYSS action
returns to Monticello Raceway on September 12, when 3 YOFT come to town-
