Feature win caps Devaux slam

Jim Devaux’s successful Wednesday afternoon of four winners at Monticello Raceway finished with a decisive victory for top-class mainstay Cinnamon Stick in the track’s Open Trot.

Cinnamon Stick was the quickest of the leaving group and secured control of the pace as the field of eight moved through the first turn. Chip Chip Conway (Jim Taggart Jr.), another Monticello Open fixture, moved up on the outside after being denied a seat and challenged for the lead after passing the quarter in :29. The side-by-side battle persisted through the half mile station in :58.1 and continued until Kabang (Greg Merton) gapped the pocket and Taggart shifted the gelding inside for a breather.

Cinnamon Stick created a three-length advantage for an urging Devaux while passing three-quarters in 1:27.4, and the gelding didn’t let up on the route to the finish, winning in 1:58.3. Chip Chip Conway, after a trip of almost persistent effort, chased the leader home and finished second. Crazycat (Brandon Parker) moved from last to third.

CINNAMON STICK REPLAY

Cinnamon Stick, a six-year-old son of Jailhouse Jesse, is now 28-for-116 lifetime with $161,187 in earnings. He has featured in the Monticello Open ranks in 30 of his last 32 starts, all under the guidance of trainer Gregory Decker. Michael Mulligan of Liberty owns the horse.

The Open score capped of a day of dominance for Devaux, who won four of the card’s eight races. He took Dr Snow (2:01) all the way in the second after battling a first-over Saronno for the first three quarters of a mile, then won the fourth with Kolt Power (1:54.4) and the fifth with Trevor One (1:56.1). Devaux is striking at around 19 per cent this season with 189 driving wins in 1009 attempts.

Monticello Raceway concludes its week of racing with an eight-race card beginning at 12:10 p.m. on Thursday, Jul. 29.

For full race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink