by john manzi for NAADA
Monticello, NY---When Joe Pennacchio's trotter, Keystone Blade, drew the eight-hole in the NAADA trot today (April 8) at Monticello Raceway he wasn't discouraged. After all, Keystone Blade had gone wire to wire in 1:58 against similar company two weeks ago at Yonkers Raceway. So in the amateur trot this afternoon Pennacchio sent his veteran trotter toward the front when the wings of the mobile gate folded and they ranged alongside the pace-setter Pound Sterling (Bob Hechkoff) as they trotted to the first quarter in a swift :28.4.
“When I ranged alongside Hechkoff I could see he
wasn't going to let me go so I grabbed leather and backed my horse into the
two-hole,” Pennacchio said. ”And once settled in I just followed the leader for
a ways.”
Hechkoff kept the pedal to the metal and showed
the way by the half in :59 with Pennacchio's trotter tight on his back.
“When we headed up the backside for the second
time I moved off the pylons as the trailing horses were beginning to rally and
I didn't want to get locked-in,” Pennacchio explained.
Keystone Blade was moving forward but Pound
Sterling still had command when they trotted into the final turn. And when they
straightened for home it was all Keystone Blade as the veteran 8-year-old
Yankee Glide gelding began to draw off and went on to a 2-1/2 length triumph in
1:59.2.
Alan Schwartz, who was following the leaders
throughout with Ladys Big Stormont, got his trotter up in the final strides to
collar Pound Sterling for the place money.
Maybe it was the eight-hole or perhaps Pennachio's
first Mighty M start this season, but for whatever reason the betting public
sent Keystone Blade away at odds of 50-1. Those who believed were rewarded with
across the board mutuels of $102.00--$47.00--and $18.00.
