New track mark at Monti

Armbro Bannister, a 5-year-old Malabar Man stallion, with Ray Schnittker at the controls, established a new Monticello Raceway track record of 1:57:4 when they combined to win the $15,000 Preferred Trot on Wednesday, June 21. And in his prior start—at Pocono Downs on June 6—Armbro Barrister not only set a track record there but his 1:53:1 triumph was also a new world record for older trotting horses over a five-eighths mile oval.

Despite having to start from post position eight, Armbro Barrister was still sent off as the betting favorite against the solid field of classy trotters. When the gate sprung Schnittker found a seat along the pylons and Armbro Barrister was seventh at the quarter pole in :28:4. As the field rounded the paddock turn the first time around the trailing horses moved to the outside and Armbro Barrister was third-over in sixth position at the half in a swift :57:4.

Up the backstretch Schnittker moved his horse three-deep and they trotted around traffic to be third on the outside at the three quarters in 1:28. In the final turn Armbro Barrister ranged alongside Stan (Mark Beckwith) who was on the lead at that point, but when the field headed for home it was all Armbro Barrister and he cruised to an easy 1¼-length triumph in track-record time.

Surprisingly, 27-1 shot B’s Startrek, in rein to amateur driver Alan Schwartz, made a race of it when they charged home to a second-place finish. Stan held on for the show dough, three lengths behind the winner.

“He’s (Armbro Barrister) sharp right now and we got a good trip to boot,” Schnittker said referring to his racing luck, and then added confidently “he’s just a good horse!”

Armbro Barrister’s 1:57:4 victory erased the former standard of 1:58 set last year by Homestead Dreamer.

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