Chasethecloudsaway ascends to Monticello throne

Chasethecloudsaway captured the Fillies and Mares Open Pace at Monticello Raceway on Monday, the first time she has won the track’s top harness racing class.

The Sunshine Beach mare laboured through the first turn while two-wide to put herself on the lead, which she did while passing the quarter mile marker in :27.4. Bruce Aldrich Jr. reined her in for an unhurried :57.4 half time before asking for increased speed on the backside to neutralize the first-up advance of Casie’s Believer (Joseph Chindano Jr.).

Aldrich removed Chasethecloudsaway’s plugs while passing three-quarters in 1:26.3 and urged the mare into the final turn. Casie’s Believer flattened out when entering the stretch, and pocket-sitter Bullvillekarla offered little threat as Chasethecloudsaway dashed to the finish in 1:55.2.

Bullvillekarla was a length and a quarter short in a second-place effort. Casie’s Believer was a further two lengths behind in third. The winner paid $12.60.

CHASETHECLOUDSAWAY REPLAY

Chrisopher Petrelli trains Chasethecloudsaway, a four-year-old that has recorded 12 wins and $99,069 in earnings through 46 career starts. She has won 10 of 18 starts this season for owner David Del Pozzo, who purchased her on Jan. 6.

Monticello Raceway features an Open Pace on its Tuesday, Sep. 14 card. The first of eight races will begin at 12:10 p.m. EDT.

For full race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink