Southbound Trucker derailed by Keystone Rideau

Nearly all season long Monticello Raceway’s open pace has been dominated by Southbound Trucker, especially during the past two months when the 6-year-old Sharky Spur gelding had won five of his last seven outings which were just a part of his 14 seasonal victories. But on Tuesday afternoon, Monticello's Horse of the Year tasted defeat in a 1:55.3 clocking at the hands of Keystone Rideau, a Yonkers Raceway import from the powerful Mark Ford barn in one of the lost exciting contests among the best class of pacers at the Mighty M.

 

Eight solid veteran pacers lined up behind the mobile starting gate and understandably Southbound Trucker, despite having to start from post position seven, was the betting favorite though newcomer Bob’s Alibi (Zeke Parker), a 1:52.4 winner at Pocono Downs last summer, got plenty of action from a two-hole start.

 

The eventual winner, Keystone Rideau, left from the eight hole but he benefited by being able to  follow Southbound Trucker’s moves.

 

Mike Micallef, himself a new face at Monticello Raceway this year, handled the driving chores behind Keystone Rideau and found himself taking advantage of the way that Southbound Trucker races best.

 

“I went to the pylons after the start and kept my eyes peeled on Southbound Trucker,” Micallef related. “When Greg (Merton) moved in the  paddock turn I followed him and Southbound Trucker is a great horse to follow because he’s a grinder and we picked up horses up the stretch and into the final turn.”

 

Jordan Stratton with Tricky Grin set sails for the lead as the gate folded and they cut fractions of :28.2, :58 and 1:26.4 before the big boys got close. Still on the lead as the field passed by the third stanza, the company began to overtake the leader.

 

In the final turn Southbound Trucker and Tricky Groin were heads apart with Micallef stalking with Keystone Rideau.

 

As the field headed for home there were five pacers lined up across the track each one gunning for victory. However Southbound Trucker drew off to a short lead as the field approached the finish line but on the far outside Keystone Rideau blew by them all for a length triumph, one of the faster clockings in the open pace this year.

 

“Though it was the first time I sat behind him (Keystone Rideau) I knew we were going to win it when we rounded the final turn,” Micallef said.

 

Southbound Trucker finished second and Bob’s Alibi was third.

 

It marked the fourth seasonal victory for the altered son of Western Hanover who paid $23.60 for win. He is owned by James Snyder of Wooster, Ohio. (Monticello)