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Wednesday, January 30, 2013

MR - GENERAL MAXIMUS N WINS CARLSPUR FINAL; JOE DE FINO & SCOTTIE C REMAIN UNDEFEATED

Harness  racing is a bit like professional  football whereas  inclement weather doesn’t stop the action. Case in point: Monticello Raceway on the wet and gloomy Tuesday afternoon of January 29.

Despite the race track having to be initially cleared of snow and mud and then cleared again to keep the piled snow and its melting waters from  running out on various parts of the racing surface, the show, although interrupted, still went on.

On that warm day after sub-zero temperatures ensued just a few days prior, the dedicated efforts to keep the show rolling paid off as all 13 races  were contested, although the racing program ran about 30 minutes longer than usual.

On the card was the Final of the Carlspur Series for horses and geldings which saw Jimmy Devaux , with 12-1 shot General  Maximus N, sit a pocket until the backstretch the second time around an d then zoom to the front and cruise home an easy 2:00.1 victory over the even money favorite Joshua’s Jet handled by Mike Forte. Armbro Chivalry was third for Bruce Aldrich, Jr.

The winner, owned by Jerold Blackman and Bill Kapinos and trained by Kapinos paid $24.60 for win.

Other notes of interest on that program were the continuing win-streaks of both Joe De Fino (the horse) and Scottie C.

Joe De Fino ran his win-skein to  four in-a-row  after owner ,trainer and driver Mike Simons took the lead after a relatively slow first half and when they passed the third stanza Simons put the peddle to the metal and Joe De Fino  dashed off to a  :28.3 final quarter  and scored a three length victory in a 2:00.2 clocking.

Joe De Fino’s victory was worth $5.10 to his mutuel backers.

And Scottie C, from the powerful Pete Pellegrino barn, in rein to Greg Merton made winning look easy as the 7 year old Matt’s Scooter gelding  wired the field in 1:56.3 while  the pouring rain tightened the racing surface.

Owned by the Baron Racing Stable Scottie C paid $4.00 for win.

With their victories, Scottie C and Joe De Fino  remain undefeated thus far this year.