It's a wonder the winner paid $9.60 at Monticello

Neither wind, nor rain, nor gloom of day could keep DJ Wonder away from the winner's circle at Monticello raceway on Tuesday afternoon. With Bruce Aldrich Jr. once again at the controls the veteran Space Shuttle 7-year-old gelding rambled down the homestretch to collar the leaders and then draw off to a two-length triumph in 1:59.1 clocking in the weekly pacing feature. It was the third consecutive victory for the John Berger-trained pacer who’s owned by Libertino Arrigo.

 

With Rescue Plan and Jason Bartlett on the engine Aldrich was content to keep DJ Wonder fourth along the pylons until they hit the backstretch the second time around. At that point Aldrich moved DJ Wonder to the outside and slowly made a move toward Bartlett and Rescue Plan. Still two lengths off the lead as they rounded the final turn, Aldrich asked DJ Wonder for more and the pacer responded and rallied in the homestretch past Rescue Plan and then caught last season’s Horse of the Year,  Southbound Trucker (Greg Merton), with 50 yards to go and paced by him for an easy come-from-behind victory. What’sittoyougrant took home the show dough for driver Mike Micalllef.

 

After moving to the Mighty M from Yonkers Raceway where a fourth-place finish in four Hilltop oval starts was the best DJ Wonder could muster, he remains undefeated since coming here on March 16.

 

Despite his current prowess DJ Wonder still paid $9.60 for win.

 

It was the third driving victory on the card for the meet’s leading driver Aldrich. He also scored with Sitting Bull Stable’s Waterfront Success (2:01.1) in the first race and with Howard Schliff and Gary and Bobbie Decker’s Wild Artist in 2:02.3. (Monticello)