by
john manzi for CADC and NAADA
For
the second consecutive week Hannah Miller and Peter Kleinhans each emerged
victorious in their respective amateur contests at Monticello Raceway on
Thursday afternoon, July 21. Ms. Miller notched her 19th seasonal
driving victory when she reined Stoman to a 1:55.4 win in the 6th
leg of the Catskill Amateur Pacing Series after reining the same pacer to a
1:56.1 triumph last week. Kleinhans scored with Toss Cartwright in 2:00 in the
6th leg of the NAADA Trotting Series. Last week the pair were
victorious in 1:58.1.
But
once again the talents of “Hurricane Hannah” continue to be the lead story. The
24 year old miss, who was named the National Amateur Driver of the Year last
season is once again having a banner season.
In
her split, Hannah left softly from the 5-hole with Stoman and they were some
nine lengths behind the leader as Tobins Fusion and driver Monica Banca tripped
the quarter-pole timer in :27.2. As the
field headed to the halfway point Miler moved her pacer first-up and they
ranged alongside Tobins Fusion in a :57.4 half.
From
there the two ladies battled side-by-side past the three quarters and into the
final turn. However, Banca’s pacer opened up two lengths on Miller’s as they
headed for home but that margin was erased in the deep stretch as Stoman
rallied to a neck triumph over Tobins Fusion in a 1:55.4 clocking.
“My
horse came a long way through fast fractions but we were within striking
distance at the three quarters. Although we lost some ground on the final turn
I was still confident that we could catch Monica’s horse before the wire. And
although we only won by a neck it was all we needed. He (Stoman) really went a
big trip” Ms. Miller said after the race.
Third place went to KBs Bad Boy driven by
Barry Addison.
Jason
MacDougall owns the winner who is trained by John Hallett. Stoman paid $4.60
for win and the ‘lady’s’ exacta returned $9.60.
Peter
Kleinhans once again emerged victorious with Toss Cartwright in the NAADA
Trot. Last week when they, won this
event,Toss Cartwright was parked to the half before he made the front and when
he did he trotted away from his competition and was a nine-length winner.
This
week Kleinhans’ trotter was again parked on the limb but in a soft :29.4 first
quarter. Once on the lead Toss Cartwright opened up three lengths on the field
by the halfway point and that margin remained the same as they passed the three
quarters. On the final turn Tony Verruso and Warrawee Preferred went three-deep
around tiring horses and charged at the leader. But Toss Cartwright hung tough
and was a solid one length winner over Verruso’s trotter. Woody finished third
for Bob Davis.
“He's real good now but he’s always had foot
problems and we had to lay him up from time to time this season.
'Toss" started back slowly this year and now he’s really coming
around.” ,” Kleinhans said referring to Toss Cartwright.
Owned
by Kleinhans’ girlfriend, Colleen Cash, and trained by John McDermott, backers
of Toss Cartwright received $3.50 for each two dollar win ticket.
