Pacer keeps on truckin' to Mighty M winner's circle

Monticello Raceway’s announcer Howard Oil often cites the phrase, “If you can’t catch’em you can’t beat’em,” when calling a horse that has opened a big lead on the field and is heading for victory. He used that expression again Tuesday when calling another breakaway victory by the hottest horse on the grounds, Southbound Trucker.

For the fifth time in just six seasonal starts the 6-year-old Sharky Spur gelding led his competition to the finish line in the weekly winners-over pacing feature.

This week trainer Art Stamatien handed the reins to Greg Merton and Southbound Trucker just kept on truckin’ and scored an easy two-length victory over the best pacers on the grounds. The horse’s clocking of 1:57.1 was very creditable considering that the temperature was hovering around 12 degrees and the winds were gusting up to 25 miles per hour.  

Though not a horse that gets away from the gate quickly, Southbound Trucker is known as a closer and once he looks his competition  in the eyes he usually goes on to score another victory.

After starting from the pole position and getting away in third place at the quarter pole, Merton was content to stay there until the field headed for the half at which point he angled Southbound Trucker to the outside and by the time they rounded the clubhouse turn for the second time was on the lead. And from there the field couldn’t catch him and thus they couldn’t beat him as the pacer cruised to another easy triumph.

Blueridge D’Bang, with Billy Parker Jr. at the controls, tried to follow Southbound Trucker’s moves but they were unable to close any gaps but still had enough in the tank to finish second. Billonthehill A took home the show dough for driver Jordan Stratton.

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