Record dh at Monticello

When Let’s Roll Joe and Special Report crossed the finish line simultaneously in a time of 1:55.1 in Monticello Raceway’s $15,000 Preferred Pace on Tuesday, they established a new track record for a dead-heat victory.

With Special Report and driver Larry Stalbaum on the front end, Let’s Roll Joe, in rein to Yannick Gingras, went first-up at the half, which was clocked in :58, and slowly gained on the pacesetter. As the two passed the three-quarters in 1:26, Lets Roll Joe was still on the outside, one half-length behind the leader. But in the homestretch Gingras urged his pacer and Let’s Roll Joe paced alongside Special Report and the two raced eyeball to eyeball through the lane and at the wire the photo-finish camera couldn’t separate them.

Their clocking was a full two seconds faster than the former mark of 1:57:1 set by BG’s Classic (Billy Parker,Jr.) and Global Rage (Mike Eaton) on March 4, 1998.

The dead-heat victory kept Special Report’s win steak alive and now the Keystone Raider 5-year-old gelding has strung together three in a row. Gingras’ victory with Let’s Roll Joe was his fifth on the afternoon card.

Special Report, owned by Hugo Iodice of Bayonne, N.J. paid $2.20, $3.10 and $2.30 across the board. Let’s Roll Joe, a 5-year-old Cambest gelding owned by Larry Roman of Mt. Vernon, N.Y., returned $2.80; $3 and $2.50. (Monticello)

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