Raider takes Hamilton Mem.

For the second consecutive week Vivacious Raider defeated the best pacing mares on the grounds at Monticello Raceway when she won the weekly $14,300 Preferred in a time of 1:57. The featured Mares Preferred Pace was named in honor of the late Bruce Hamilton, the dedicated and well-liked Executive Secretary of the New York Sire States who passed away four years ago-nearly to the day--after a long and brave battle against brain cancer. Hamilton’s brother, Keith, was on hand to make the race presentation.

Jimmy Marohn was again at the controls when the 7-year-old daughter of Keystone Raider came from four lengths back at the top of the stretch to score her fourth of the season and fastest on a double oval this year.

Last week her credentials didn’t seem impress the betting crowd and she was sent off at odds of over 12-1. But this week the fans had a bead on her and Vivacious Raider was the favorite in the eight horse contest.

Though she started slowly Marohn settled her in sixth along the pylons and was some six lengths off the leader as the field passed the quarter-mile marker in :28:3. As they rounded the paddock turn Marohn angled the mare to the outside and they shadowed Drinking Games (Jimmy Devaux) who went first-up.

As the field approached the final turn Marohn wheeled Vivacious Raider three deep but they were still some four lengths off the pacesetter Jezzabell Hotspur( Billy Parker Jr.) as they passed the seven-eighths pole. However, when Vivacious Raider straightened out in the homestretch she kicked into high gear and rallied down the center of the track for a two-length triumph.

Trance N ( Mike Forte), who was fifth at the top of the stretch, followed Vivacious Raider around the final turn and though she also charged down the lane, she came  up short and had to settle for second money. Jezzabell Hotspur held on for the show dough.

Owned by Michael Muller of Sparrowbush, N.Y., and trained by Jimmy Posterino, Vivacious Raider paid $5.50 for win. (Monticello)

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