Campbell directs Gerri's Joy to Tully score

Driver John Campbell charged up the passing lane with heavily-favored Gerri’s Joy to win Monday afternoon’s $337,500 Phil Tully Memorial Trot for 3-year-old fillies at Monticello Raceway in track-record time. The daughter of Enjoy Lavec got a bob-and-weave trip from Campbell heading into the final turn and when the inside lane opened up down the stretch she responded, going on to a 1:56.1 victory that shattered the previous local standard for her division by two seconds.

Gerri’s Joy work was made a bit easier when Exotic Destination made a break leaving the gate for driver George Brennan. Campbell took the early lead but after the opening quarter of :28.2 yielded to 25-1 longshot Likeavirgin Lindy and driver Stephane Bouchard. After a :57.3 half a first-over Pippiwhitestockngs and driver Jody Jamieson was able to clear, and Campbell was able to move out and around the tiring Likeavirgin Lindy with the 3-5 favorite Gerri’s Joy by the 1:26.1 three-quarter pole.

Turning for home Campbell slipped back to the inside with Gerri’s Joy, easily rushing past Pippiwhitestockngs for the victory. Victoria Volo was able to rally late for driver David Miller to finish third.

“Once I got back out on Jody’s back (Jamieson, with Pippiwhitestockngs) I was pretty sure the passing lane would open,” said Campbell in the winner’s circle. “As long as she didn’t mind the passing lane (I thought she would win).”

Gerri’s Joy easily broke the track record of 1:58 set earlier this year by Masterpiece T and equaled last Monday by Likeavirgin Lindy in her Tully Memorial elimination. Gerri's Joy's win in the final was her third of the year in 10 starts, increasing her seasonal earnings to $245,644 for owner Nicholas Cimino. Trained by Noel Daley, Gerri’s Joy now has career earnings of $639,867.

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