Monticello: Homebreds reign in New York Sire Stakes

Boston Rocks and Force Avenger, both racing for their respective breeders, took the pair of top-level New York Sire Stakes events for 2-year-old male pacers on Monday afternoon at a damp Monticello Raceway.

Driven by Jason Bartlett in the first $53,500 grouping, Boston Rocks went to the front from post one, carved out well-rated fractions of 30 1/5, 1:00 4/5 and 1:30 2/5, then sprinted home in 27 4/5 to widen on his rivals and win by 4 3/4 lengths in 1:58 1/5. Taranaki (Scott Zeron) held second from the pocket and Jones Hanover (Jordan Stratton) came in third after a first-over bid against the eventual winner.

Mike Deters trains Boston Rocks, a colt by Boston Red Rocks, for owners/breeder Peter Blood and Rick Berks. Boston Rocks, who was fourth at Tioga in his debut on June 18 and was making his second lifetime start today, paid $6.00 to win as the 2-1 second choice.

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In the other $54,500 flight, Hunt Or Be Hunted (Stratton) cleared Levi Sonic (Lauren Tritton) for the top spot nearing the 28 3/5 quarter and continued to show the way through the half in just 59 2/5. A two-wide flow would begin shortly after that marker led by Cantfindmywayhome (Bartlett), and he would surge around Hunt Or Be Hunted on the way to the 1:29 4/5 three-quarters, leaving Ameritric (Tyler Buter) uncovered and Avenger Force (Matt Kakaley) second-over behind him.

Despite losing his cover, Ameritric surged forward on the final bend and forged past Cantfindmywayhome, putting Avenger Force in the first-over slot as they turned for home. Ameritric had the jump and dug in gamely when called upon, but Avenger Force, who had started from post eight, was able to wear him down and get by approaching the wire to tally by a length in 1:58 1/5. Ameritric had to settle for second and Vandiemen Bluechip (Zeron) advanced from last to third in the final quarter.

Bred by owner Fiddler's Creek Stables LLC. and trained by Travis Alexander, the victorious Huntsville colt had a third and then a win in his qualifiers at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania in preparation for his initial pari-mutuel try. He returned $4.90 to win as the favorite.