(Fort Washington, MD) – The race unfolded differently but at
the end the result was the same as Hyway Marcus was victorious Sunday evening
(October 8) in the RUS MidAtlantic Monte Trotting Series Final at Rosecroft
Raceway. With the victory, Hyway Marcus
completed the hat trick, sweeping the series.
Determined not to let Hyway Marcus have his own way, One
True Friend (Hillary Hartnett) powered to the front, parking Hyway Marcus to the
first quarter with Keenan (Maria Buchanan) third, racing along the rail
following the leader. Hartnett had her horse, the lone mare in the race, in
front by one and a quarter length in a brisk :28.1 at the first station.
After being stung throughout the first quarter, Sascha
Moczulski took Hyway Marcus to the front with One True Friend sitting second
through middle fractions of :58.1 and 1:28.1 with the leader being two lengths
in front at the three-quarter mark. By
this time Keenan was beginning to tire, six lengths behind the leader in third
place.
Once past the three-quarter marker, the all-to-familiar story
played out as Hyway Marcus opened up on the field with a seven length lead at
the top of the stretch to coast home in a final quarter of :31.4 to stop the
teletimer in 2:00, seven and a half lengths over One True Friend who put the
victor to task in the early portion of the race. Closing from sixth at the three quarter mark
was Catalyst (Stephanie Jacobs) finishing third another length behind. Fourth, but placed fifth for violation of the
breaking rule was Mr Protab while Pine Tab was elevated to fourth. Keenan, paying the price for his early pace
finished sixth.
With the victory, Hyway Marcus finished the season with a
perfect three for three record and now has a lifetime RUS record of
8-6-1-0. The six year old son of Gut
Instinct is owned by Joseph Faraldo, Gilbert Teitel, and Charels Wittstruck. Moczulski was the winning trainer.
RUS MidAtlantic would like to thank all its sponsors of the
series, Back on Track, Knutsson Trotting, Miller Lite, Poulin Grain, in addition
to numerous others. Plans are already underway
for the 2018 series. Anyone interested
in becoming a member of RUS MidAtlantic or a sponsor of the 2018 series may
contact RUS MidAtlantic through their
website.
