Arcade Hall game in third straight victory

Last season Canadian native and longtime California resident Bruce Clarke packed up lock stock and barrel and moved east to compete where the money is. He settled in Northeast Pennsylvania, competing at Pocono Downs and later at the Meadowlands. From all indications he had a very successful year, winning 110 races and over $3.4 million in purse earnings.

At the start of this season Clarke has been racing a few horses at Monticello Raceway and he has won eight races in 15 starts bolstered by three consecutive wins by Arcade Hall, a pacer owned by Californians Patricia Waldeck, John Coffey and Michael S. Duncan.

On Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 20, Arcade Hall notched his third consecutive victory each time after a move up in class. The pacers latest triumph was against non-winners of $800 per start and the son of Pro Bono Best cruised to a wire-to-wire triumph in a time of 1:57.1.

Though Arcade Hall had drawn post position six Clarke sent his charge for the lead and at the quarter pole they had command as the timer flashed :29 flat. As Arcade Hall headed toward the halfway point Stephane Bouchard moved Windsun Fire N Ice up to challenge and the two raced side by side past the three-quarters in 1:28.2. However, at the point Clarke asked Arcade Hall for more the pacer not only responded but drew off  by two lengths on the field and then coasted home an easy 1 1/4-length winner in a seasonal best of 1:57.1.

Stand Sharp BJ, driven by Jordan Stratton, shadowed Arcade Hall from the quarter pole but came up empty in the stretch and had to settle for second money. Windsun Fire N Ice held on for the show dough.

Despite the fact that Arcade Hall  had two consecutive wins coming into the event, perhaps the move up in class was the reason that the betting public sent the pacer off at odds of nearly 4-1. Those with faith were rewarded a $9.80 win payoff. (Monticello)

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