Cinnamon Stick scores in spicy finish

Cinnamon Stick activated a late burst of speed in the stretch and surpassed the leader just in time to take the Monticello Raceway harness racing Open Trot on Wednesday, May 19.

The six-year-old gelding, leaving from the five-hole for Bruce Aldrich Jr., got the pocket spot after spending the entire first turn two-wide. Awol Hanover (Kyle DiBenedetto) led the field through :29, :59.3, and 1:28.3 panels with Cinnamon Stick remaining close in the pocket.

Cinnamon Stick moved to the outside as they came towards the finish and picked up ground rapidly in the final 1/16th. He reached past Awol Hanover in the last strides and earned a 1:58.2

victory. Awol Hanover lost by a head in second, and Broadway Bruiser (Braxten Boyd) made late inroads for show. The winner paid $5.70 in a field of six.

Cinnamon Stick has won 27 of his 108 lifetime starts, and the victory on Wednesday put him over the $150,000 mark in earnings. Gregory Decker trains the son of Jailhouse Jesse for Michael Mulligan of Liberty.

Monticello Raceway will return on Thursday, May 20 to conclude its week of action. That card will start at 12:10 p.m. and see nine dashes.

For full race results, click here.