Far Better best in sixth straight

Far Better is unstoppable currently, as the harness racing gelding won for the sixth consecutive start and fourth straight rise in class on Tuesday in the Monticello Raceway co-feature.

Michael Merton, who piloted the gelding last week, made use of the post three draw and spurred on Far Better into the first turn to take the lead. Merton was motionless in the sulky as his charge carved out panels of :29.2, :59.1, and 1:28.2, but he cracked the whip as his five foes inched closer approaching the far turn.

The field kept Far Better within touch entering the stretch, but the gelding sprinted away in the last 1/16th of the mile to score by two and a quarter lengths in 1:56.3. American Rebel (Bruce Aldrich Jr.), the pocket-sitter throughout, finished second. Way To Close (Cory Stratton) rounded out the top three. The winner paid $3.40.

FAR BETTER REPLAY

Far Better has now won every start since entering the Nicholas Devita barn at the start of May, including four steps up in condition. He started in the non-winners of $350 per start last five class and now competes at the non-winners of $675 per start last five level. Overall, the son of Bettors Delight 11-for-43 lifetime with more than $45,000 in earnings. Robert Stasio of Staten Island is the owner.

Junior’s Dew won a prolonged battle for the early lead and survived late challenges to take the second co-feature.

Brandon Parker had to make two moves to the front with Juniors Dew as Roll With Fred (Aldrich Jr.) snatched it away in the first turn, but Juniors Dew took command before completing the opening quarter in :28.3. He was gifted an uneventful trip from there to the half in :58.2, but American Island (Jim Taggart Jr.) rolled up on the backstretch to contest the top spot.

American Island gained steadily through the third quarter in 1:26.4 pushed his head in front of Junior’s Dew entering the home turn. Juniors Dew fought back, though, and he repelled the challenger at the top of the stretch. Roll With Fred reasserted himself as a danger at that point and tried to close up the passing lane, but Junior’s Dew had just enough to make it home a winner in 1:55.4.

Roll With Fred was a head short in second. Carters Caper (Kyle DiBenedetto) finished third. A $2 win ticket returned $3.40.

AMERICAN ISLAND REPLAY

Junior’s Dew, a seven-year-old altered son of Western Ideal, won his first start for owner and trainer William Parker Jr., a Monticello local, who claimed him after the gelding’s victory on Jun. 9. The horse improved his record on Tuesday to 17-for-114 lifetime with more than $105,000 in bankroll.

Parker, Merton, and Taggart Jr. had driving doubles on Tuesday.

Monticello Raceway will be back on Wednesday, Jun. 16, with eight contests, including a Great Lakes Amateur Driving Association Trot. The card will start at 12:10 p.m. EDT.

For full race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink