Kj Erich won the Monticello Raceway harness racing Open Pace for the first time since January as he finished strongly in the Apr. 13 contest.
Driver Jim Taggart Jr. utilized the horse’s best post draw in weeks to drop him into the four-hole early, but he pulled the gelding back out before the quarter in :28. Kj Erich marched to the front and cleared easily. He then took the field to the half in :57 and three-quarters in 1:26.2.
First-over challenger Blacktree (Michael Merton) and pocket horse Weekend Atnannies (Bruce Aldrich Jr.) took their shots down the stretch, but Kj Erich repelled both to win by three quarters of a length in 1:55.4. Blacktree got second, and Epaulette A circled up for show.
KJ ERICH REPLAY
Kj Erich is now 33-for-171 lifetime with more than $205,000 earned for owners and breeders Scott Woogen of North Chesterfield, Brenda Messenger of Monticello, and Philip Shapiro of Haworth. Gary Messenger trains the eight-year-old son of Roll With Joe.
Taggart completed a “Kj” triple on the day as he also won the second with Kj Michael Gary (1:59) and third with Kj Chico (1:59.1).
Monticello Raceway is back on Wednesday, Apr. 14 with seven races beginning at 12:10 p.m. EDT.
For full race results, click here.
by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink