Another feature to consistent Special Graduate

Special Graduate extended her streak of top-two finishes to nine straight and captured her second consecutive feature pace as she won the top harness racing condition at Monticello Raceway on Monday.

She occupied the four-hole under orders from Jim Taggart Jr. as the race began and three others vied for the early lead. A parked out Moonlightandroses (Cory Stratton) backed away from the pace duel, which gave Special Graduate the third spot before completion of the first quarter mile in :27.4.

Taggart Jr. mobilized Special Graduate as the field of six approached the half, which was finished in :58, and began marching to the front. She outpaced leader The New Americana (Brett Macdonald) through the third quarter and cleared to the front as they finished that panel in 1:26.1. Special Graduate then cruised to the finish with minimal effort from Taggart Jr. to score in 1:55.3.

Too Much Sun (Michael Merton) made headway in the stretch and finished second; Moonlightandroses swung three-wide and took show. The winner paid $2.80.

SPECIAL GRADUATE REPLAY

Special Graduate is a 12-time winner from 41 lifetime starts, and she’s made just less than $60,000. Robert Sholes, Edward Davis, and David Dziengiel, all residents of Bloomingburg, own the daughter of Art Major. Dziengiel trains for the group.

Leading driver Merton was the most successful of the day as he guided She’s A Billionair (1:56) to victory in the third, Metro Glide (1:57.1) to a win in the fifth, and visited the winner’s circle with Unabating (2:00.4) in the finale.

Monticello Raceway will return on Tuesday, Jun. 8 with nine races kicking off at 12:10 p.m. That program features an Open Pace.

For full race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink