Monica
Banca doesn’t drive often but when she does she’s a force to be reckoned with.
Today, (Thurs. Sept 21) in a division of the NAADA Trotting Series at
Monticello Raceway Ms. Banca went to post for the 13th time this
season and logged her seventh seasonal driving victory when she scored a 1:59.4
triumph with Brandos Muscle Man.
After
settling in the three hole after the wings of the mobile gate folded Banca, was
content to follow the leaders until Joe Lee, who was traveling along near the
back of the pack moved Tim Lizzi off the pylons as the field headed to
the halfway point. That challenge precipitated a move from Banca who was moved
her trotter out to challenge the pacesetter Ladys Big Stormont (Alan Schwartz).
When
they rounded the clubhouse turn for the final time Brandos Muscle Man had
command and braced for Wygant Prince and driver Paul Minore who moved out
from behind Schwartz’s trotter and ranged alongside Brandos Muscle Man. as they
headed for the three quarters. They raced one-two around the final turn and in
the lane it appeared Wygant Prince would trot by the leader but that was
not to happen as Brandos Muscle Man Dug in and rebuffed Wygant Prince to score
a neck victory. Three lengths farther back was Tim Lizzie in third place.
“My
horse raced real good last week when we finished second beaten by just a head,”
Banca said after the race “Today I moved earlier than I wanted to so I wouldn’t
get locked in, but Brandos was strong and trotted to the lead. When we headed
for home Wygant Prince began gaining ground but my horse dug in and
wouldn’t let him pass.”
Banca
co-owns the Muscles Yankee 9-year old gelding with the Rock and Roll
Stable. Trained by Rick Dane, Jr. Bandos Muscle Man paid $7.50.
In
the other NAADA split Dave Yarock used the front-end route for a trip to the
winners circle with Mr Ridgetaker.
After
starting from the two-hole Yarock got away with a fairly soft :29.2 first
quarter and had his sights set on racing on the front-end which could easily be
determined when Alan Schwartz and Grand Vision).came alongside near the quarter
pole and he kept them on the limb
They
raced one-two to the halfway point with the order remaining the same as they
trotted by the three quarters in 1:30.3. When the field came off the final turn
Mr Ridgetaker had three lengths on field and cruised home an easy winner
“He
raced good last week when we finished fourth (by length and a half) but today
he was at the top of his game,”Yarock said referring to Mr Ridgetaker. “We had
a better post this week and he was strong the whole mile.”
Sam’s
Honeybee with Tony Verruso aboard, snuck up the passing lane late to garner
second money while Jennifer Lappe finished third with Fox Valley Steffen.
Mr
Ridgetaker, also owned by Yarock, is trained by Dawn Devaux. He returned a
$10.20 mutuel.
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