Sb Mikes Hot Beach scored his fifth straight victory in dominant fashion atĀ Monticello RacewayĀ in the conditioned harness racing co-feature on Apr. 15.
The 13-year-old went straight to the lead in his usual style forĀ Greg MertonĀ from post six. He set fractions of :28.3, :58.1, and 1:27.2 before kicking away to win by five-and-a-half lengths in 1:56.1. I’m A Gift (Cory Stratton) rode the pocket and took place, and Cee Pee Panic (Michael Merton) was promoted to third through disqualification.
SB MIKES HOT BEACH REPLAY
Sb Mikes Hot Beach is now 46-for-277 and has earned just shy of $360,000. Candace Brandstatter trains theĀ Magical MikeĀ stallion for Nicole Mason of Freedom.
In the first co-feature, Masterson went three-wide to upset at 10-1.
DriverĀ Brandon ParkerĀ dropped him back to fifth through a first quarter of :28.2. The duo rolled second-over going by the half in :58.1. They then went around stalled cover heading to three-quarters in 1:27.3 and bore down on leader Art Nukem (Bruce Aldrich Jr.).
Masterson went by Art Nukem and sailed to a length-and-three-quarter win in 1:56.2. Ideal Magic (Kyle DiBenedetto) closed from last to take the place spot, and Art Nukem held onto third.
MASTERSON REPLAY
Masterson is a nine-year-oldĀ Bettors DelightĀ gelding owned and trained by Thomas Milici of Montgomery. The horse has raked in more than $345,000 and won 34 of his 165 lifetime attempts.
Brandon Parker ended the day with an impressive five wins, the first time he has ever achieved that mark.
In the other co-feature, theĀ North American Amateur Drivers AssociationĀ Trot fifth leg, Exarch capitalized on his inside post position to go wire-to-wire.
Anthony VerrusoĀ rushed him out to an early lead and turned away Keystone Blade (Joseph Pennacchio), who was attempting to drive on. Exarch led through the quarter in :28.3, but Keystone Blade was unable to find a hole and re-rallied through the half in :58.1, and three-quarters in 1:28.2.
The tired challenger kept going through the final quarter and Madhatter Bluechip (Joseph Lee) attempted to go up the rail, but Exarch had too much left. Exarch made it to the finish line to win by a neck in 1:59.1. Madhatter Bluechip got up for second, and Keystone Blade was a game third.
EXARCH REPLAY
Exarch is now 13-for-67 in his career with just less than $200,000 in earnings. Sean Campbell trains the six-year-oldĀ Cantab HallĀ gelding for Fortune Valley Stable of Ballston Spa. Verruso previously drove the horse to victory in a December 2020 NAADA event.
Verruso is enjoying his best season in the sulky already with 4 wins, 2 seconds and 5 thirds in just 16 starts for a .424 UDR. He now has 86 career driving victories.
Monticello Raceway will return on Monday, Apr. 19 with nine races starting at 12:10 p.m. EDT.
For full race results,Ā click here.
by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink