Freshman Pacing Colts on Tap at Monticello Raceway

June 23, 2023

Monticello NY, – All of hype during the winter and spring time will now become a reality as this year’s freshman crop of pacing colts make their pari mutual debut on Monday June 26 at Monticello Raceway when they compete for over $140,000 in purses, with many of the sidewinders making their first start on a half mile oval.

Going to post are 2 heats of Sire Stake events, worth $53,500 and $54,500 and 2 divisions of the Excelsior Stakes competing for $20,000 per dash.

The first Sire Stake race is carded as Race 2, Howlenthehills (PP7) scored in a qualifier at Pocono Downs in 1:55.4, the son of American Ideal is trained by Travis Alexander and will be driven by Matt Kakaley.  Scootermagrooter (PP3 – Brandon Parker) has won in back-to-back performances at Vernon Downs for trainer Benny Eggers.  Jones Hanover (PP2 – Jordon Stratton) sports 2 show finishes in recent outings.  The most expensive yearling of the group was a $100,000 Harrisburg purchase and is trained by Jen Bongiorno.

The second division sports a handful of speedy youngsters, Travis Alexander has two separate entries, and both straddled with outside posts.  – Avenger Force (PP8) was a winner last start out at Chester in 1:55.3, the son of Hunstville will be driven by Matt Kakaley.  Bruce Aldrich Jr. will drive Ideal Par (PP7) he took a mark of 1:59.4 in his first baby race. George Ducharme, who has always enjoyed much success at Monticello over the years, is represented by Ameritic. The son of Huntsville is owned by Purple Haze Stable and was a wire-to-wire winner at Vernon Downs in 1:56.3 and will be driven by Tyler Buter.

The first Excelsior stake has some local connections, Spectacular Plus, the Gary Messenger trained son of Huntsville will score from post 7 with Jim Taggart Jr. he was second in his lone qualifier at Chester.  Darius (PP5) a son of Huntsville, out of Miss Sowo, a mare who competed for years at Monticello is trained by Ray Schnittker and it owned by Monticello horsemen Dennis Ackerman and his wife Patricia.  Darius finished second in his last start at Pocono Downs, pacing his mile in 1:56 with a last quarter of 28:2; Mark Macdonald will drive the gelding. Fund My Request (Tyler Miller) sports an impressive resume and will score from post 3.  Dave Dziengel is the trainer of Boston Delight, (Adam Moeykens) the son of Boston Red Socks has a pair of Monticello Qualifiers under his belt and will start from post 6.

The other split of the Excelsior stakes is a 7-horse race, the odds maker has made Spring Blake (PP2) a son of Courtly Choice, a horse that trainer Blake Macintosh won the Little Brown Jug in 2018.  The $30,000 yearling has a place and show performance under his belt in Canada, Mark Macdonald will drive. Rendezvous Bay (PP5) shows half mile experience with a trio of races at Saratoga for trainer Brian Cross, Jordon Stratton in the bike.