(Berlin, Maryland) – There are horses for courses and Hyway
Marcus took advantage of this axiom by winning the first leg of the RUS
MidAtlantic Monte Series in front of an appreciative audience at Ocean Downs
Sunday (August 20) evening. Winning his
seasonal debut under saddle, the six year old has a record of 3-2-1-0 at the
resort track. The time of the mile was 2:02.1
over a fast track with Sasha Moczulski riding the Josh Green trainee to victory
for winning owner Keith Pippi in the $5,000 tilt.
The six horse field was reduced by one with the defection of
Pine Tab who was scratched sick, leaving a field of five to contest the open
leg. When the gate opened, One True
Friend (Hillary Hartnett) used the rail position to get away with Hyway Marcus
challenging early while Admirable Hanover (Vanessa Karlewicz) took to the
pocket for third. The riders of Keenan
(Maria Buchanan) and Catalyst (Stephanie Jacobs) decided to race off the pace
sensing a quick tempo developing; sensing the opportunity to take advantage of the
pace in the later portions of the race.
By the time the horses hit the first station in :29.4, Hyway Marcus was racing
on the outside with a one length lead.
There was no change in position as the field hit the second station in
:59.4 with Hyway Marcus extending his lead to three lengths.
While Hyway Marcus was holding strong, it was a question of
when the trailing horses would make their moves and if they could catch the
leader. Past the half mile point of the
race, One True Friend continued to race in second as Keenan kicked it into gear
to take the third spot while Admirable Hanover dropped back to fourth and
Catalyst remained in last but making up ground.
The time at the third marker was 1:30.4.
At the top of the stretch it was clear Hyway Marcus was not
to be denied; it was a race for second between Keenan and Catalyst as they
worked their way down the stretch. Hyway
Marcus maintained his 4 ½ length lead to the wire while Keenan finished second
maintaining his 1 ½ length lead over third place finisher Catalyst. One True Friend and Admirable Hanover
finished fourth and fifth respectively.
The fans were treated to a Meet and Greet before and after
the race with the riders just as excited as the fans as they had a chance to
talk to fans. Riders were happy to offer
autographs to the fans in attendance.
After the seventh race the riders joined in the t-shirt toss.
The second leg of
the RUS MidAtlantic series will be contested at the Meadowlands on Saturday,
September 9 as additional horses are expected to join the chase to qualify for
the final at Rosecroft Raceway on Sunday, October 8. The final will be limited the top nine horses
point-wise who enter. Standings for the series are available on the RUS MidAtlantic
website.
