Harness racing driver Greg Merton caught fire at the end of Monticello Raceway’s Thursday card, winning the final three races, including the feature pace.
Merton sent Gentlemensattitude out quickly from post six in the feature. The pair were four-wide entering the first turn, but they reached the top spot with minimal pain as thee field of eight turned for the backstretch.
Merton controlled the pace with :28.4, :59.4, and 1:29.1 fractions. Odds-on favourite Sports Check (Michael Merton) challenged from first-over in the third quarter, but Gentlemensattitude pulled away from her and the field as they hit the home turn.
Pocket-sitter Unle Qwackers (Jim Devaux) closed in the stretch, but Gentlemensattitude got home to break a 22-race losing streak by three-quarters of a length in 1:58.4. Uncle Qwackers finished second, and Samosa Hanover (Cory Stratton) rallied for show. The winner paid $8.80.
GENTLEMENSATTITUDE REPLAY
Gentlemensattitude earned his first victory of the year with the win and his seventh lifetime from 43 starts. His lifetime bankroll now exceeds $30,000. Arthur Green trains the four-year-old gelding by Riggins for Steven Sitkoff of Palm Beach Gardens.
Merton went on to score with Admiral (1:57.4) in the seventh and Ok Galahad (1:59) one race later in the finale.
Monticello Raceway will break for the weekend and return on Tuesday, Jun. 1.
For full race results, click here.
by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink