Far Better in seventh heaven

Far Better continued his tear on Tuesday at Monticello Raceway as the four-year-old extended his win streak to seven while stepping up to the Open level, the track’s top class.

Driver Michael Merton fired the four-year-old gelding out from post five and engaged with Hestons Lucky Chip (Jim Taggart Jr.) entering the first turn. Far Better slogged two-wide through the sloppy surface for the first eighth of a mile to win to top spot before they hit the quarter in :29.

Far Better took his five opponents to the half in :58.3. Merton urged the horse going to three-quarters in 1:27.2 as he faced two and three-wide pressure, and Far Better put them away in the stretch in a two-length 1:56.2 victory. Nox Vegas Bluechip (Cory Stratton) finished second after his three-high move; Hestons Lucky Chip was third.

FAR BETTER REPLAY

Far Better, a son of Bettors Delight, is still undefeated since he entered Nicholas Devita barn and moved to Monticello in May. The horse has won seven in a row, facilitated by four rises in class, after finishing worse than sixth in his prior eight starts. He has won 12 of 44 outings overall, and he is now just shy of $50,000 in earnings. Robert Stasio of Staten Island owns.

The bettors overwhelmingly expected the gelding to continue his success on Tuesday as they bet him down to 1/5. The win price was $2.70.

Merton had a superb afternoon in the sulky with five victories. He took the first with Kj Unreal (1:59.3), second with Princess Glydana (1:58.3), fifth with Roll With Fred (1:57), seventh with Due West (1:58.4), and the finale with Far Better.

He also used his winning day to make someone else’s. After winning with Due West, Merton helped Milt, a racing fan, cross an item off his bucket list by inviting the man into the winner’s circle. According to track photographer Geri Schwarz, Milt wanted to be photographed with the winning horse and driver after a race. Milt brought his daughter-in-law Dorota and his grandson Jake onto the track for a picture. Merton also gave his whip to Jake following the race.

“It made Milt’s day… as well as mine,” Schwarz said.

Monticello Raceway returns on Wednesday, Jun. 23 with an Open Trot among a 10-race card. First post is scheduled for 12:10 p.m. EDT.

For full race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink