Monticello: NY Sire Stakes make local debut Monday

On Monday, June 3rd, the New York Sire Stakes roll into town to make their 2024 debut at Monticello Raceway with 3-Year-Old trotting colts taking center stage. The nine-race card features two Divisions of Sire Stakes, each split for $59,000 and three heats of the Excelsior Stakes, with each dash racing for a purse of $20,000. Total purses for the day are over $200,000.

The first split of Sire Stakes is a seven-horse contest, Keep Asking (T. Buter) from the rail has been installed the morning line favorite for trainer George Ducharme. The son of Chapter Seven finished fourth last start out in this company. Inflation (PP4) is moving up in class after a win last week at Vernon Downs in the Excelsior class where he scored in 1:53 4/5, Jordan Stratton will drive the Lucas Wallin-trained son of Chapter Seven. Thinker Money, a $500,000 yearling acquisition drew post five for trainer Marcus Melander, she was third last week at Vernon. She is a full sister to three-time Breeders Crown winner, Gimpanzee, a winner of $2,701,075 in his illustrious career. Purple Haze Stables send forth their Chaplind (PP3) with Tyler Buter at the helm. Last year he was a winner of $172,303 for trainer George Ducharme.

Race eight is the second split worth $58,100 with six starters, Sir Pinocchio from the rail with Jason Bartlett in the bike is the early favorite. He finished second in Sire Stakes competition in his last start at Vernon Downs and earlier in the month he won the prestigious $134,900 Dexter Cup for trainer Ed Hart. The son of Mets Hall is owned by Carolyn Atherton of Scarsdale, NY. Crazy Brother Jim (PP2), with Jim Marohn Jr. in the bike, took his two-year-old record last year at Monticello. The co-favorite is Fly By from post seven with Scott Zeron in the bike for trainer Tony Alagna; the son of Chapter Seven is seeking his first win of the year.

The Excelsior Series has two 7 horse fields and the first heat Mighty Deo from the rail with Scott Zeron in the bike is the favorite in his race after finishing second last start at Vernon to Inflation in 1:54.

In the second heat, Pepper Wow (PP5), who is currently fifth in the point standings, is the son of Crazy Wow and will be driven by Ivan Davies. Fringed (D. Daley) from the rail is the morning-line favorite. The Crazy Wow offspring is a winner of two straight before making a miscue in his last effort. Rounding out the card is race six, the final dash of Excelsior. Claude Huckabone III has an entry with Dynamic One (J. Stratton) from the rail and Seven Minute Abs (PP4) who will be driven by Huckabone. Jacks Boy was a winner in the same class at Vernon, he is trained by Joe Sansone and will be driven by Marcus Miller.

-edited release (Monticello Raceway)