Merton first reached paydirt in race number nine when
he guided odds-on favorite Livinwell Hanover ($3.70) to an easy
four length triumph in a 1:58.1 clocking. For the 4-year old daughter of The
Panderosa, owned by Rosemarie Moore, it marked the mares second consecutive
victory.
Merton’s next triumph came in the 11th race when
he and Early Morning reached the winners circle a full length ahead of
runner-up Lucky Angel, driven by Zeke Parker in a time of 1:58.4. The 7
year old Art Major mare scored her sixth seasonal victory as an
even-money ($4.10) favorite.
“I know I’m getting close to 2000 but I’m still far enough
away (1980 wins) to feel any pressure,” said Merton who now has 50 wins at the
current meeting. “ but I know that will come when I down to my final few.”
Mike wasn’t the only Merton to who was newsworthy on the
Monday card. Younger brother, Greg, a former two-time Mighty M driving champ,
had a hat trick of his own. Greg ‘s first win was with Betsy
Phillips and Carl Gillespie’s, Allikate Fighter ($2.60) in 1:57.1 in the sixth
race and he then proceeded to win the next two events. He copped the seventh
behind Baron Racing Stables’ You Can’t fool Me ($3.20) in a 1:57.1
clocking and then won the eighth with Kristin Bartlett and Albert
Fini’s trotter , Light Headed ($4.00) in a 2:00 clocking.
Currently the younger Merton, who has almost half as many
starts as the leaders, chimes in with 59 winners which ranks him fourth
on the local leaderboard.
