Southbound Trucker rallies to win Monticello feature

Talk about horses for courses. How about Southbound Trucker at Monticello Raceway? The veteran 6-year-old Sharky Spur gelding, who was recently named Horse of the Year at the Mighty M, just keeps on winning and on Tuesday Southbound Trucker scored yet another victory in the winners-over pace, this time in 1:56.1.

 

Greg Merton was again in the sulky as the pacer recorded his 13th triumph over the best pacers on the grounds.

 

Last week, from the pole position, Southbound Trucker uncharacteristically won in wire-to-wire fashion in the identical time of 1:56.1, but this week, from the eight hole, he did his usual come-from-behind  rally to victory. And what a rally it was!

 

After sitting back off the quick early pace Merton fired up the old veteran and together they went four deep on the final turn and then sped away in midstretch to victory with tail flying in the wind.

 

They passed second-place finisher Blueridge D’Bang (Billy Dobson), pacesetter and third-place finisher Semalu Express (Zeke Parker), and fourth-place finisher Bilmar Rustler (Mike Forte) after coming off the final turn.

 

“I told you last week that he (Southbound Trucker) was better off the pace. He just loves to pass horses,” Merton said after his victory. “Art (trainer Aristotle Stamatein) and Carlton (caretaker Carlton Oney) have him in top form which really surprises me since this was  Southbound Trucker’s 34th (seasonal) start. And last year he raced  39 times and won nine races. I can’t say enough about the ‘ole horse.’ When you ask him, he goes forward. He never ceases to amaze me.”

 

Obviously Merton was joined in amazement by the betting public who, in spite of Southbound Trucker’s seasonal performances, paid $11.80 for win. The pacer is owned by the trainer’s son, George Stamatein. (Monticello)