Monticello: Sophomore trotting colts on tap in NYSS

The three-year-old trotting colts come to Monticello Raceway on Monday, July 31 for two heats of New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) and three dashes of the Excelsior series, all competing for $154,000 in purse money. Trainer Ron Burke has a pair of entries in the first heat, worth $57,000. Chapercraz was a winner last start at Buffalo in Sire Stakes competition. The son of Crazy Wow also has a pair of second place finishes in the Zweig and the Yonkers Trot. He leads all starters with $238,152 in earnings this season, will hail from the rail, and will be driven by Joe Bongiorno. The other entry is Sevecheetah. The son of Chapter Seven will start from post position 4, with Jim Devaux in the sulky. Wild Bill Kelso took his two-year-old record last year at Monticello and the other Sire Stakes division last start at Buffalo. Cecil Hanover (Mark Macdonald) has two Sire Stakes victories on his tally this season for trainer Ake Svanstedt and has banked $124,042.

The second dash is carded as Race 8 and will have five behind the gate. The Gruffalo (PP2) is looking to regain his two-year-old form from last season, where he earned $223,650. His best finish this season is a second-place performance in NYSS at Vernon Downs. Mark Harder trains the son of Chapter Seven. Jason Bartlett will handle the driving chores. Lucas Wallin is represented with Onion Gum, who will start from the rail. He is owned by the powerhouse SRF Stable, Order By Stable and Marion Mazza. He was second last start at Buffalo in this company and will be driven by Jordan Stratton.

Also on the card is two divisions of the $20,000 Excelsior Series. In Race 3, Espresso (PP1) is the most traveled and has won the most purse money by being dual eligible in New York and Kentucky, taking home $72,243 thus far this season. The son of Chapter Seven is trained by Julie Miller and will be driven by Tyler Miller. The local connection is Emperors Vacation, trained by Laura Aldrich, with Bruce Aldrich Jr. in the bike.

Race 6 is an eight-horse contest highlighting Spending Crazy. The son of Crazy Wow is out of the Chapter Seven mare Seven Eleven. He sports an impressive six-race win streak for trainer Benny Eggers. This is his first foray in Excelsior competition. Seven Sins (PP7) has been consistent all season with three place finishes in this class. He is trained by Noel Daley and will be driven by Jordan Stratton.

Post time for the nine-race card is slated for 12:10 p.m.

-edited release (Monticello Media)