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Thursday, May 9, 2019

New York Sire Stakes make 2019 debut at Monticello Raceway

On Monday afternoon May 13, the New York Sire Stakes Circuit will make its 2019 debut as the glamour division of 3-year-old pacing colts come to town.  Going to post will be 3 divisions of Sire Stakes ($38,000) 2 splits of the Excelsior A class ($15,000) and 1 Excelsior B ($6,700) 


The first division of Sire Stakes ($38,200) will go to post in race 1 with 7 entries,  Hickfromfrenchlick (PP4) has been pegged the morning line favorite.  The So Surreal colt had a very productive year as a 2-year-old where he earned $138,541 and earned a speed badge of 1:51.3.  Last week he had an easy tightener at Pocono Down where he romped in 1:53.3 to win by 8 ½ lengths for trainer Ray Schnittker. Local favorite KJ Leo will start from post 6, last year the Gary Messenger trained colt won the NYSS Consolation at Yonkers and finished the year with $68,292 in earnings. This year the Art Major colt won a conditioned race last week at Monticello Raceway in 1:57.1, regular driver Jim Taggart Jr. will drive.    


The 2nd division of Sire Stakes features Respect Our Flag who was sharp in his performance 2 weeks ago where he scored in 1:49.2 at the Meadowlands for trainer Jenn Bongiorno, Joe Bongiorno will drive the son of Roll With Joe.  Sam Schillaci brings  Major Blake to fray, the son of Art Major has had 3 winning qualifiers under his belt at his home track Northfield Park, Major March will start from the rail for trainer Linda Toscano, the Art Major colt is owned by Bay Pond Racing, Jason Bartlett will drive.   

The final heat of Sire Stakes action is in race 7 and highlights Reigning Deo, the winner of last year's NYSS final at Yonkers Raceway in 1:54.4, the son of Rock N Roll Heaven will start from the rail with Jim Morrill Jr. at the helm for trainer Brett Pelling.  After winning the NYSS final last fall, Reigning Deo dabbled in Grand Circuit competition and finished the year with $243,163., ranking him in the top 10 2 YOPC earners.


The Excelsior A, class first heat highlights Jack Nation (PP4) , the son of American Ideal took his Lifetime mark as a 2 YO at Monticello Raceway in 1:57 for Blake Macintosh, Mark Macdonald will handle the driving assignment.   


Post time for the 8-race card is 12:50