Monticello: Maiden-breakers victorious in New York Sire Stakes

Courts On Fire and Silent Weapon were heavily-backed in the betting and delivered the goods in a pair of $51,500 New York Sire Stakes sections for 2-year-old male pacers on Monday afternoon at Monticello Raceway.

In the first division, a fired-up Meltdown Monte (Tyler Buter) led through a opening quarter of 27 2/5. Holt Hanover (Mark MacDonald) tipped out of third on the first turn to go after Meltdown Monte and got side-by-side with him at the 55 4/5 half, and their duel continued to the 1:24 4/5 three-quarters and around the last turn.

Behind Meltdown Monte and Holt Hanover in the pocket was Courts On Fire (Greg Merton), and Merton fanned him out three-wide as they raced in the backstretch for the final time. Courts On Fire veered out wide towards the paddock gate on the final bend, but Merton was able to get him back down to the two-path behind Holt Hanover and then swung him back out three-wide for the drive. Despite the adventure on the last turn, Courts On Fire had the freshest legs among the trio of contenders in the stretch and defeated Holt Hanover by 2 1/4 lengths in 1:55 3/5. Holt Hanover overcame his own tough trip to get second and Meltdown Monte came in third.

A Courtly Choice colt bred by Winbak Farm, Courts On Fire is co-owned by trainer Blake MacIntosh in partnership with Hutt Racing Stable, Tim Klemencic and Daniel Plouffe. This was his first win in three outings, he has earned $54,183 and he paid $2.70 to win.

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The complexion of the second flight changed before it started as Fast Choice, who won in the sire stakes at Yonkers and Saratoga, was scratched injured. With Fast Choice not able to participate, Oogleville (MacDonald) dashed to the engine from post four and put up fractions of 28 3/5, 57 4/5 and 1:26 3/5, but Silent Weapon (Matt Kakaley), who went first-up from third coming off the third turn, surged by Oogleville to take charge on the final bend. From there it was all Silent Weapon as he drew off for a 6 1/2 length triump;h in 1:54 4/5. Oogleville ended up second and Watch My Warrior (Barton Dalious) checked in third.

Travis Alexander trains Silent Weapon, a colt by Huntsville, for owner/breeder Fiddler's Creek Stables LLC. He broke his maiden in his third chance, has banked $46,755 and returned $2.40 to win.