In the second race on the card Merton won a squeaker
with a come-from-behind-charge with Badlands Josh to collar the leaders and
prevail in a very tight three-horse photo.
When the judges proclaimed the race official, Badlands Josh
was a mere nose winner over High Hopes Cruiser (Kyle DiBenedetto) and Song of
the South ( Jimmy Marohn, Jr.) in a time of 2:00.3.Merton’s other triumph was with Lindwood Native in the 10th when he snuck up the passing lane to nail his brother Greg , who had Streetcar all but home in a 1:57.1 clocking.
Badlands Josh, who was Merton’s first winner on the day is
owned by J & R Class Act Stable LLC and trained by Tony Regina. Sent off at
odds of over 10-1 Badlands Josh paid $23.50 for win
Merton’s victory with Lindwood Native was worth a
$6.80 payoff. The pacer is owned by Greg Decker and trained by Greg
Decker, Jr.
Merton, who said there’ll be no jinx for him as he
approaches 2000 wins because he’s not thinking about it and just
keeps doing what he always does.
“I may not get number 2000 on Thursday but I’m sure it’ll
come next week,” Merton said, and then added, “If it doesn’t it’ll come then,
it’ll come soon. I’m not worrying about it at all.”
