Monticello: NY Sire Stakes action featured on Monday's program
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Thunder Hunter Joe and Goldin Greatness both picked up their second New York Sire Stakes victory of the season in Monday afternoon's pair of $60,300 tests for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings at Monticello Raceway.
In the first grouping Hurrikane Hunter (Dan Dube) left from post four and cleared Train Station (Patrick Ryder) for the lead going to the 28 second opening quarter, but Hurrikane Hunter would be overtaken by favored Huntinthelastdolar beyond that marker. Huntinthelastdolar maintained control through a 56 2/5 half but then got rough-gaited and broke on the third turn, allowing Thunder Hunter Joe (Tyler Buter), who had been first-up, to hit the front.
After Thunder Hunter Joe got to the point, Metal Man (Matt Kakaley) took up the chase from first-over and got to Buter's wheel at the 1:24 4/5 three-quarters, but Thunder Hunter Joe kicked away in a 27 2/5 last quarter sprint, winning by 5 1/2 lengths in 1:52 1/5. Metal Man wound up second from Duval Street (Jason Bartlett).
A Huntsville gelding bred by Heather Zitone, Thunder Hunter Joe is trained by Nick Devita for owners David Hamm, Glenn Phillips, Christopher Giaccio and Devita Racing Stable Inc. This was his fourth career triumph, he has now earned $177,716, and he paid $5.40 to win as the 8-5 second choice.
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The other division saw American Fling (Mark MacDonald) blast to early command from post four, but I Was Tricked (Zeron) wheeled out of the pocket and became the new pace-setter nearing the 27 3/5 opening quarter. I Was Tricked then backed it down to just 57 seconds at the half, but Goldin Greatness (Bartlett), the 1-2 choice, went on the attack first-over from the three-hole late on the third bend.
After being fed clear racetrack, Goldin Greatness quickly advanced to battle with I Was Tricked, and they were nose-to-nose at the 1:25 1/5 three-quarters, but Goldin Greatness sustained his brush, got around I Was Tricked, and crossed back down to the pylons on the far turn. There would be no catching Goldin Greatness from there, as he reported home with the victory by a length and three-quarters in 1:52 2/5, with I Was Tricked second and Taste Of Honey (Jordan Stratton) up for third.
Another gelded son of Huntsville, Goldin Greatness is co-owned by trainer Chris Ryder in partnership with William Ezzo, Evan Katz and Joe Sbrocco & Jaf Racing. Bred by Robert Newman, Goldin Greatness has a record of 5-2-6 from 19 lifetime appearances, pushed his bankroll to $158,089, and he returned $3.10 to win.