DJ Wonder still king of the hill at Mighty M

Since he came up from Yonkers Raceway in mid March DJ Wonder has been the king of the hill at Monticello Raceway, annihilating the best pacers on the grounds for the fourth time in five starts on Tuesday. The 7-year-old gelding Space Shuttle gelding romped to an easy four-length victory in a 1:55.3 clocking, a seasonal best for the Libertino Arrigo-owned, John Berger-trained pacer.

 

Again with the meet’s leading driver, Bruce Aldrich Jr., at the controls, DJ Wonder was taken off the gate at the start and then moved before the half with cover as the pacesetter Tyrant Hanover ( Mike Micallef) took the field by the half in a soft :59.1. But up the backstretch Aldrich wheeled the big gaited pacer three deep around his cover, Gold Comet (Billy Dobson), and brushed to the lead on the final turn. From there only the margin of victory was in doubt as DJ Wonder cruised home with a :28.1 final stanza.

 

Despite his early season heroics DJ Wonder was second choice in the betting. Last year’s Horse of the Year Southbound Trucker was sent off  as the 4-5 favorite and though his driver Greg Merton had the Trucker in contention at the three quarters he proved no match for DJ Wonder who paced away to an easy  triumph. Southbound Truck finished second and Gold Comet, last week's winner in this class, finished third.

 

“We got locked in last week and  when I found room in the passing lane DJ closed a lot of ground but  we were still beaten half a length by Gold Comet and that was the only race he lost here this year,” noted DJ Wonder’s driver Aldrich. “He couldn’t even make the board at  Yonkers but since he’s come here he’s been tough to beat. John (Berger, the horse's trainer) has been doing a great job with him.”

 

For a horse that has four wins and one second in his last three starts and again racing against the same company, DJ Wonder amazingly paid $7.50 for win in the six-horse field.

 

Aldrich reined three other winners on the Tuesday card and he is on pace to challenge Zeke Parker’s  track record of 526 seasonal if he keeps up his current pace. Aldrich is currently in 17th place on the North American leaderboard with 20 driving victories but unlike many who are ahead of him Aldrich’s victories have come at just one track and not  from day-night racing. (Monticello)