Three times a charm for PH Kenny

Monticello, N.Y. – After two unsuccessful tries in the Open, the third time was the charm as PH Kenny won the Open Pace at Monticello Raceway on Tuesday, August 31 in 1:54.

Sammy B Happy (Joe Chindano Jr.) rushed to the lead as the gate left, as did a rammy Camwood (Michael Merton), starting from Post 7. Sammy B Happy briefly had the lead before the quarter mile stanza in 27.4, but Cory Stratton, aboard PH Kenny, quickly pulled the two hole and took the lead past the quarter and took the pack through fractions of 56.2 and 1:25.2 to the three-quarters.

At this point, Camwood began to tire, and PH Kenny kept the field at bay with a one-length advantage. Corey Stratton continued to urge PH Kenny down the lane to win by a length in 1:54 (LQ 28.3). Sammy B Happy benefitted from a perfect trip and finished second, followed by KJ Erich (Jim Taggart Jr.). Camwood, last week’s Open Winner, was parked the entire mile and finished in fourth.

HP KENNY REPLAY

PH Kenny is trained by Veronica Merton. The nine-year-old gelded son of Lis Mara notched his fourth win of the 2021 season. He is owned by Cinderella Stables of Ronkonkoma, N.Y. Veronica Merton enjoyed a training double on the afternoon as Metro Glide won the eighth race in 1:56.2 with John Desimone in the sulky.

For full race results, click here.

by Kimberly Winston, for Monticello Raceway