Certified Ideal faultless in feature

Certified Ideal dropped in class and rewarded her connections on Monday in the Monticello Raceway harness racing feature as she won for the first time since being purchased in April.

The Western Ideal mare, returning to Monticello after a spell at Yonkers, emerged from the pack to take the lead early with John DeSimone Jr. driving. The mare raced unhurried through the first quarter mile in :28.4 and half in :58.1 before increasing speed to three-quarters in 1:26.4 to put the first-over All About Amy (Bruce Aldrich Jr.) away.

Certified Ideal led into the far turn with only the favoured pocket-sitter Moonlightandroses (Jim Taggart Jr.) to worry about. The latter made ultimately fruitless gains in the stretch as Certified Ideal remained solid to the finish in a 1:55.3 victory. Moonlightandroses finished second by three quarters of a length. All About Amy finished third.

CERTIFIED IDEAL REPLAY

Certified Ideal, a Todd Buter trainee, paid $8.50 to win in her 42nd career win. The 11-year-old has now earned more than $725,000 lifetime. Kiefer Elite Bloodstock LLC and Jose Bisono of Campbell Hall own with Martin Michaelik of Floral Park. The mare collected cheques in four of five Monticello Open starts after the group purchased her. She then had three unsuccessful starts at Yonkers in May and June and moved back to Monticello on Jun. 22. She finished fourth in the Open on that day before dropping to Monday’ s level.

Braxten Boyd secured a natural hat trick in the first three races. He won the opener with Skyway Ballet (1:57.1), the second with Makin Trouble K (1:59.4), and the third with Lucys Man (2:02.2).

Monticello Raceway returns on Tuesday, Jun. 29 with an eight-race program. It will begin at 12:10 p.m. EDT.

For full race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink