After The Lovin lovely at Monticello

After The Lovin proved best in the Monticello Raceway harness racing conditioned pace headliner as she dispatched the leader and rolled on to victory on Monday.

Michael Merton declined to contest the early lead from post six with the mare and opted for the sixth spot on the pylons going into the turn. He pulled After The Lovin to the outside shortly after and they made headway uncovered through the second quarter, which was completed in :58.1.

She accelerated in the third panel and quickly surpassed the leading Sweet Ginger (Bruce Aldrich Jr.) and assumed command just before three-quarters in 1:27. Special Graduate (Jim Taggart Jr.) attempted a rally from the pocket but found the leader was too good. After The Lovin paced home victorious in 1:56. Special Graduate was two and a quarter lengths short, and Sweet Ginger finished well back in third.

After The Lovin, a five-year-old Carnivore mare, now holds a record of 16-for-51 and just less than $75,000 in career earnings. Christopher Petrelli trains her for owner David Del Pozzo of Methuen.

Monticello Raceway returns on Tuesday, Apr. 11 with a first post of 12:10 p.m. EDT and a total of eight dashes.

For full race results, click here.