MONTICELLO RACEWAY TO SHOWCASE THREE DIVISIONS OF THE EXCELSIOR STAKE, ONE HEAT NY SIRE STAKES

July 12, 2024

Monticello, NY (July 12, 2024) – On Monday July 15^th, Monticello Raceway will showcase three divisions of the Excelsior Stake and one heat of New York Sire Stakes. This is the sixth leg of an eight-leg series before the Sire Stakes Finals this year at Vernon Downs on September 13^th.

The New York Sire Stakes race is carded as race six, with four entries going for $111,400, Sister Mary Maude has been installed as the early morning line favorite, the daughter of Crazy Wow was a winner last season at Monticello in Sire Stakes action. She scored her first win of the season in her last start at Buffalo Raceway in 1:57.4 in this class, she will score from Post Four and will be driven by Joe Bongiorno, she is the second leading point earner in her division trailing R Melina. Sadbirdstillsing (PP2) also a 2-year-old winner at Monticello will be driven by Jason Bartlett for trainer Tony Alagna, a winner of over $100,000 this season, she scored in the first Sire Stakes of the season at Yonkers where she toured the half mile oval in 1:58.4.

The Excelsior races are carded as races one, three and eight, the first heat show cases Communion Money, a three-time Excelsior winner this season for owner, trainer and driver Jared Bako. The Salt Hill Farm bred daughter of Crazy Wow has banked over $40,000 thus far this season with wins in this class at Buffalo and Vernon Downs. Central Park has been installed the favorite in her race, the well-bred daughter of Chapter Seven was a $400,000 yearling and is starting from post position three. She was a winner in her last start at Goshen in 1:58.3 and has won at Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs where she set a new lifetime record of 1:55.2 for trainer Julie Miller. The offspring of Chapter Seven will be driven by Tyler Miller. The Nancy Takter trained Dozen, is making her 2024 debut after a trio of qualifying races. Last season she won the finals of the Excelsior series for owner Diamond Creek Racing of Wellsville, Pennsylvania.

In the final Excelsior heat, Pizza Bianco (PP4) was installed the favorite after her swift qualifier where she scored in 1:54, she is a two-time Excelsior winner this season with wins at Yonkers and Vernon Downs. She is returning to the races after a series of qualifier races, the Chapter Seven filly will be driven by Tyler Miller for trainer Julie Miller.