Judge Ken slams the gavel on Open foes

Judge Ken crushed his Open Trot harness racing rivals in a seven-and-three-quarter-length romp on Wednesday at Monticello Raceway.

The five-year-old gelding dropped into the three-hole from post one, declining to contest the lead on a sloppy surface. Seven-to-five shot Bank Guard (Jim Devaux) left aggressively from post five and gained control of the pace early, hammering out :28.3 and :58.2 first-half panels. Joseph Chindano Jr. set Judge Ken in motion at the midway point, and Bank Guard could not hold back the lead-bound gelding.

Judge Ken stopped the clock for three-quarters in 1:27.3 after hitting the top, and he maintained his speed as he flew through the final panel. He left his seven rivals behind, opening up by seven and three quarter lengths in a 1:58.3 victory.

Mighty Surf (Michael Merton), the 6/5 favourite, finished second. He was clear of Chip Chip Conway (Jim Taggart Jr.), who took show.

JUDGE KEN REPLAY

Judge Ken, a five-year-old Justice Hall gelding, improved his career record to 13-for-59 with the win and increased his earnings above $135,000. Steven Moore trains the horse for Scott Keppler of Ridgefield. Keppler drove Judge Ken in six North American Amateur Drivers Association contests at Yonkers Raceway in July and August, winning one and finishing third by a neck in the series final on Aug. 20.

Bruce Aldrich was the rainy afternoon’s top driver with three victories.

Monticello Raceway will finish its week of action on Thursday, Sep. 2 with a 10-race card beginning at 12:10 p.m. EDT.

For full race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink