In A Tiny Way and Valentina Blu Prevail in NYSS at Monticello

August 17, 2022

Monticello, N.Y. – The New York Sires Stakes season is entering the homestretch. Yesterday afternoon at Monticello was the sixth leg of the eight-leg series for three-year-old trotting fillies. The afternoon featured two legs of NYSS action, with each race vying for a purse of $57,000.

The first event saw Perfect Vixen starting from the rail (John Stark Jr.). She was five lengths off the gate at the start. In A Tiny Way, starting from Post Position 3 with Jordan Stratton in the bike, reeled off splits of 29.3, 1:00.0. La Vie En Blanc was throwing in a few extra steps during the mile before making a break at the 5/8 marker pole as they hit the next panel in 1:28.4 with In A Tiny Way still in command. In a tight photo, In A Tiny Way was declared the winner over a gritty Gertrude (Tyler Miller) in 1:57.3 for her fourth win of the season. The offspring of Conway Hall is trained by Mike Simons and is owned by Ellen McNeil of Vernon Center, N.Y.

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The second division was also a five-horse contest. Cash Infusion, the heavy favorite, made an uncharacteristic break before the start. Mark Macdonald, aboard Bomb Hugger, cut the mile 29.2, 59.4.  Approaching the half, Cash Infusion caught the pack. Going down the backside, Valentina Blu and Joe Bongiorno made a wicked brush from the back of the pack, followed by Cash Infusion as they tripped the timer in 1:30.1. Valentina Blu was half a length outside of the leader, Bomb Hugger, turning for home and midway down the lane, before she kicked into overdrive to overtake the leader to score in 1:58 by a length and half, trotting her last quarter in 28.1. It was the second win of the year for the Chapter Seven offspring, owned by Crawford Farms. The win pushed her career earnings over the $425,000 mark for trainer Tony Alagna. Seven On The Rocks finished third.

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Deli Tessel (Jim Taggart Jr.) scored in Excelsior A action for trainer Marissa Chadbourne in 2:00.0. The daughter of Conway Hall is owned by Lon Todd Frocione. It was her fourth win on the season. Telenova scored in an upset in 2:00.2 – $35.80 with Jordan Stratton for trainer Claude Huckabone. Drivers Jordan Stratton and Joe Bongiorno both scored driving doubles on the card.

Next week is the final NYSS event at Monticello Raceway with two-year-old colt pacers. The Night of Champions finals is slated for Sunday, September 11.

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