(Fort Washington, MD) – A field of six trotters will compete Sunday (October 8) evening in the RUS MidAtlantic Monte Series Final, being contested at Rosecroft Raceway. The $5,000 race is headlined by Hyway Marcus, who won the first two legs of the series and is looking to complete the series sweep. The tilt will go as a non-wagering event after the third race on the regular card with an estimated post time of 7:30pm.
Hyway Marcus (post 2), is trained and ridden by Sasha Moczulski for new owners Joseph Faraldo, Gilbert Teitel, and Charles Wittstruck. The six-year-old son of Gut Instinct has developed a reputation for being a star RUS trotter with a lifetime record of 7-5-1-0. The horse has made only two starts this year under saddle, winning series legs at Ocean Downs and the Meadowlands with a seasonal mark of 1:59.4 set at the Meadowlands.
Looking to be his main contender is Pine Tab (post 5), ridden by Helene Gregory. The Nick Surick trainee in his first lifetime start was dueling Hyway Marcus in the stretch at the Meadowlands, getting to within a ¼ length when he went off-stride. With a race under his belt, his connections are looking for an improved effort here.
Another contender is One True Friend (post 3) who finished second in the second leg of the series at the Meadowlands. Since that effort, the lone mare in the race came in first at Saratoga, followed by second place finishes at Batavia and in the Elizabeth Miller Memorial at Monticello this past Monday. Hillary Hartnett is once again in the irons for trainer Wesley Miller.
Other horses in the race are Mr Protab (post 1, Emma Wahlberg) who won his lone start last year at Ocean Downs and looks to improve off a third-place finish at the Meadowlands in his seasonal debut. Catalyst (post 2, Stephanie Jacobs) looks to improve with the return to the 5/8 mile oval after putting in a dull race at the Meadowlands. Keenan (post 6, Maria Buchanan) finished second in his lifetime debut at Ocean Downs but jumped off before the start at the Meadowlands. With a cleaner start, he may be in the thick of things late.
First race on the wagering card is slated for a 6:40pm post.
