by john manzi for NAADA
Monticello, NY---The betting crowd had
confidence that Marianna Monaco would win the $5000 NAADA Trot at Monticello
Raceway on Thursday afternoon so much so, that they sent her trotter, Hot
Summer Knight, away as the 2-5 favorite. And she didn't let them down.
It took a strong stretch drive and a :29.2 final
quarter but she hustled the veteran Justice Hall gelding to a come-from-behind
triumph over the pace-setter, Ladys Big Stormont (Alan Schwartz), for a head
victory in a 2:00 clocking.
When the wings of the mobile gate folded Schwartz
gunned Ladys Big Stormont to the lead from the three-hole while Monaco floated
away in second position from the two-hole and they remained one-two by the
first stanza in :29.4. With no one challenging, Schwartz tapped the
breaks---albeit lightly-- and he led his competition by the halfway point in
1:00.1.
Despite a few starters being on the limb as
leaders trotted by the half it appeared that the race would be decided between
Schwartz and Monaco... And it was.
Ladys Big Stormont got first call by the three
quarters but he was being stalked by the odds-on favorite Hot Summer Knight.
And when they rounded the final turn and headed for home Schwartz's charge was
strong on the lead but Monaco's .trotter was a bit stronger and Hot Summer
Knight rallied in the final strides for a head victory. Noble Warrawee finished
third for Mike Polansky.
It was the fourth seasonal driving victory for the
former “Gamecock” (she's a graduate of University of South Carolina) who had
been a pupil of Richie La Cava.
Hot Summer Knight is owned by Lynette Buter and
trained by Todd Buter. He paid $2.70 for win.
Next Thursday the series continues at Yonkers
Raceway.
