American Ticket and Kele Kele win NYSS in 1:53.1

June 7, 2022

Monticello- NY, – The 2022 New York Sire Stakes program got underway this afternoon at Monticello Raceway, the first heat of NYSS worth $57,000 saw a short field of 5 Sophomore Pacing Fillies go the gate, with the short field, no show wagered was allowed. American Ticket extended herself to get to the front just past the opening panel of 27.2; from there she tapped the brakes for the second panel as they reached it in 57.3. The favorite Gotthegreenlight was sitting third past the half but at the 5/8 pole mounted a meek challenge to the contenders but it was not enough and was too late as American Ticket scampered away from the pack and had 2 lengths on them as she continued to motor home in 1:53.1. The American Ideal filly was driven by Mark Macdonald for trainer Jessica Fallon, Fly Like An Angel finished second followed by Hamptons Babe.

In the $58,100 second heat, heavy favorite Joyride Hanover was a bit extended at the start as she was 3 wide down the backside to get the lead at the 1/4 pole in 27.2 and continued to set the tempo reaching the half in 56.2. Kele Kele popped out of the 3 hole approaching the 5/8 pole with a quick brush of sped to go right on by Joyride Hanover who was not herself this afternoon, tripping the timer in 1:25. Turning for home she lead by 4 lengths and went on for the win in 1:53.1 to set a new lifetime mark, Valar Dohaeris was second followed by Patsville, Joyride Hanover finished 5th. Kele Kele was a winner last year in a Sire Stakes event at Monticello Raceway where she took her 2 YO record of 1:56.3. The daughter of So Surreal was driven by Scott Zeron and is trained by John Mcdermott.

Excelsior action saw Chillin Bythe Pool (American Ideal) and Jordon Stratton an easy 5-length winner over Mini Rose in 1:55.3. Nadina Hanover (American Ideal) scored in a wire-to-wire effort in 1:55.4 for the tandem of Jason Bartlett and Nifty Norman. Dudes Sweet Bet (Dudes The Man) scored a 3-length victory in 1:54, the 3/5 favorite was driven by Tyler Buter and is trained by Jessica Okusko for her second win of the season. A Girl That Twirls (American Ideal) was impressive in her 1:54.1 score over American Jazz.

The win tally continues to increase for Dreaming Silly, she earned her 9th win of the year for Anthony Regina. Mike Merton and Chris Petrelli teamed up for two winners on the card, Beauty is Blind took the Mares Open Pace in 1:55.4 and Special Achiever notched her fifth consecutive win.

The 12 race card garnered $606,000 in handle, with a per race average of $50,000, American Ideal lead all Sires with 3 winners on the afternoon.