Monticello, NY—The temperature was not the only thing coming in hot Thursday afternoon (July 27) at Monticello Raceway. It was an exciting day for harness racing pacers, with Little Admiral (Captaintreacherous) and driver Ralph Silvestri III, and Sammy B Happy (American Ideal) with driver David Yarock, finishing with a dead heat for win in the 5th race $3,600 feature.
As the horses took off, Tolly Ho (Jim Taggart, Jr.) tried to take the early lead from Little Admiral and those two got into a vicious dogfight with Sammy B Happy enjoying the two-hole trip.
They passed the opening quarter in :27.3 and then the half mile in :56.2 and the fight continued into the backstretch. By the three-quarters in 1:26, Tolly Ho began to fade and Little Admiral and Sammy B Happy were left to duke it out in the stretch.
Even the photo finish camera could not separate the two winners in 1.56.3. Nihilated Truth came in third and YS Sunshine finished fourth. Denali Seelster, the favorite, finished last.
LITTLE ADMIRAL / SAMMY B HAPPY REPLAY
The 7-year-old Little Admiral is trained by Richard Campolong and owned by Gary Saj of Medina, NY and paid $13.40 to win. The 9-year-old Sammy B Happy is owned by David Yarock of Tenafly, NJ, and trained by Dawn Devaux and paid $7.70 to win.
Racing at Monticello Raceway resumes Monday, July 31. Post time is 12:10 p.m.
For complete race results, click here: US Trotting Results
by Nicolle Kain, for Harnesslink