Groovin Will Sets New Track Mark at Monticello Raceway

July 30, 2024

After winning a qualifying race last week at Monticello in 2:00, after making breaks in 2 consecutive races, no one expected the track record performance from Groovn Will who got his act together this afternoon July 29 in an Excelsior Stakes event, setting a new record of 1:54.1, breaking a 5-year-old track record. 

Groovn Will (Roll With Joe – Who Moved The Rock) a $12,000 Goshen yearling Sale pupil set the new track Record for 2 Year Old Pacing Colts with Greg Merton in the bike in a 1:54.1- $15.80 score over Invictus (J. Stratton) Eclipsing the old record of 1:54.3 set by Melodies Major in 2018. Greg Merton and Blake Macintosh took both halves of the early daily double with wins in the Excelsior Stakes and a NYSS win.  Groovn Will was the first on top until Southpaw (J. Whittemore) who found himself parked and couldn’t find a hole, and decided to go for the lead, getting it just at the opening panel of 27.3 and was still on top at the next panel in 56.3.  Approaching the 5/8 marker Greg Merton pulled Groovin Will and was first over at the next panel in 1:25.3. Turning for home he had a 2 length lead, the 2/5 favorite Invictus took a shot at the leader to no avail and was rebuffed as Groovin Will tripped the timer in 1:54.1. The son of Huntsville is trained by Blake Macintosh and was bred by Winbak Farm MD.

The landscape changed in the second division worth $51,500 with the scratch of the undefeated Fast Choice, Silent Weapon (Huntsville – DD Delightful) scoring from post position 3, finished second to him in his last start, this week he enjoyed a pocket journey behind Oogleville (M. Macdonald) until the ¾ pole, Matt Kakaley popped the Travis Alexander trainee out of the hole and kicked in the after burner to pull away and motor home a strong 6 length romp in 1:54.4 and earned his first parimutual win for owner Fiddlers Creek Stables LLC of Naples Florida.

In Excelsior Action, the 1/5 favorite Courts On Fire (Courtly Choice – Ashlee’s Spitfire) scored in 1:55.3- $2.70 for the Merton – Macintosh duo. Digging For Gold (Huntsville – Gold Orchid N) went wire to wire and picked up his maiden win with a 1:57.1 – $5.00 score for trainer George Ducharme.  Trainer Nicholas Vamvilis picked up his first career Stakes win as a trainer when his Seafood Neighneigh (Huntsville – Seafood Missy) toured the oval in a lifetime best of 1:57.3 with Jordan Stratton in the sulky. Spirit Of Freedom (American Ideal – Face To Face) outsprinted Fun King (G. Merton) and took the final dash in 1:57.3, he was driven by Tyler Buter for trainer John Butenschoen.

It was the second track record set this season during New York Sire Stakes competition, Tyler Buter and Kyle DiBenedetto had a pair of driving wins.

New York Sire Stakes returns to Monticello Raceway next Monday when 3-Year-Old Filly Pacers take the stage, Post Time 12:10.