Sandy’s Bolt and Groovy Joe are ready to collide in an early career showdown as they both arrive with two impressive victories in the Sire Stakes.
Coming off a 6-1/2 length victory in the NYSS at Monticello Raceway on July 1, Sandy’s Bolt (Bolt The Duer-White Sand) also had a three-quarter length decision at Yonkers on June 20. Tabbed as the 2-1 morning line choice, Sandy’s Bolt drew the four post with Jason Bartlett scheduled to drive.
Groovy Joe (Roll With Joe-Chotat Milk) has yet to taste defeat as well and is fresh off a two length victory in 1:56.4 at Monticello. He was also successful in the Sire Stakes at Yonkers on June 20 with a solid 1-3/4 length win in 1:56. He’s the second choice at 3-1 and will score from the two hole for Matt Kakaley.
Not to be overlooked is Linus (Roll With Joe-Jet Wash), a runner up to Sandy’s Bolt at Monticello is his lone career start. Starting from the three spot, Jim Morrill Jr. gets the nod in the sulky.
Major Asset (Mike Simons) gets the rail and has a victory in the Excelsior A Series along with a third place finish in the NYSS at Monticello.
The remainder of the field includes Shvaiko (Drew Monti) and American Rebel (Mark MacDonald).
The second division will go off as the seventh race and all the entrants are in search of their maiden win. While they may not have been as successful as their counterparts in the first division thus far, the prices they were purchased for at the sales say their owners have plenty of faith in their abilities.
Ideal Artillery (American Ideal-Shelliscape) is owned by local connections of Howard and Michael Ouriel of Rochester. A $70,000 purchase at the Standardbred Horse Sale, Ideal Artillery did get a third place finish behind Sandy’s Bolt at Monticello on July 1. He’ll start from the five post with Drew Monti aboard.
Oreo Dream Xtreme (American Ideal-Spotlight On) was a $60,000 buy at the Lexington Selected Sale. Getting the four spot on the starting grid with Bartlett, Oreo Dream Xtreme has a second and third place finish in his NYSS efforts.
Major On The Beach (Art Major-One For The Beach), the morning line favorite at 2-1, will begin off the rail for Kakaley. This $50,000 Lexington Selected Sale purchase has a third place finish at Monticello Raceway in the NYSS on July 1.
The rest of the participants include Play Therapy (Morrill Jr.), Steuben Moose (Billy Davis Jr.) and Teton Sunset (MacDonald).
The track record for 2-year-old colt pacers is 1:54.2 established last year by Melodies Major while the gelding standard is 1:56.3 set by Roadside Delight way back in 2010.
There will be a pair of $15,000 divisions of the Excelsior A Series on the 12-race program along with a $6,500 leg of the Excelsior B Series. Post time is 5 p.m.
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