Late-closer legs held at Monticello

On Wednesday afternoon Monticello Raceway presented two $9,800 divisions for sophomore filly late-closer trotters, some of which should become eligible for the  $30,000 final.

In the first split, Otisville Devil, owned locally by Bernie White, Kristie Leigh Farm Inc. and John White, scored an easy triumph  in a  2:04 clocking to notch her first victory  in late-closer action after being a bridesmaid twice previously.

Jimmy Marohn was in the pilot's seat and used a first-over move at the half to gain command by the three-quarters and then trot on to an easy four-length triumph over Just Grey and driver Stephane Bouchard. Third in that mile was Easter El Paso for driver Doug Ackley.

With her victory Otisville Devil  paid $8.50 for win and established a new lifetime record.

The other split turned out to be sort of a shocker when the second longest shot on the board, Slow Poker, rallied in the deep stretch  to score a 2:03:4 victory  for driver Jimmy Devaux, who, by the way, has wrested command on the local leaderboard from Stephane Bouchard and now leads the former Montreal native by three wins 196-193.

As in the first late-closer division, Bouchard again reined the second-place finisher, Winning Appeal, who was the betting favorite. Third place went to Miss Gabrielle Dew for driver Bruce Aldrich Jr.

Slow Poker,  a daughter of Lainie’s Star owned by Lynne Stratton of nearby Livingston Manor, N.Y., notched her third victory in 17 seasonal starts and paid $36.40 for win. (Monticello)

« Back