Monte America 2015 leaders

December 31, 2015 – Monte (RUS) action has been completed in Canada and the US with several pari-mutuel events held at the Ontario raceways and an active monte schedule of harness racing programs especially in New York State.

Santo Domingo (8g Amigo Hall-Victory Lady-Garland Lobell), with Europe’s Philippe Masschaele aboard, set a new North American record of 1:56.4s on Mohawk’s seven-eighths mile oval in a pari-mutuel event, one of many in Ontario on which a full slate of wagering options produced comparable all-pools handle with sulky (attele) contests on the same cards.

Santo Domingo produced a 3-1-0 slate in five starts for trainer Mike Guitard and owners Jalade Investments, Deanman Sons Stable and Peter Misculazi, and he earned US$10,647. 

Winner’s Star K posted three US victories.

Natalie Elliott led all North American riders with four wins good for earnings of US$8,760.

Michelle Miller earned four wins in the US. 

Trainers leading the 2015 stats included Michael Miller with four US wins and Mike Guitard and Pam Forgie posted three each in Ontario.

We wish to thank all participants for their support of the 2015 monte programs and to RUS Ontario and RUS New York for their excellent promotion of monte racing throughout the year. Also thanks to sponsors of monte and to tracks hosting the competitive racing events in Canada and the US.

Ontario tracks hosted 11 pari-mutuel monte races (Flamboro and Georgian two each) and winners were clocked in better than 2:01 on five occasions (Santo Domingo in 1:56.4s at Mohawk for Philippe Masschaele, a North American record, in 1:59.3h at Flamboro with Marit Valstad aboard, and 2:00.2f at Georgian Downs for Sarah Town; Tragically Shipp 1:59.4f at Georgian for Natalie Elliott; and Massive Muscles 2:00.3h at Flamboro for Riina Rekila).

In the US Funny Photo scored at Vernon in 2:02.2s for Sophie Engerran, Hyway Marcus at Ocean Downs 2:02h for Maria Andersson and Bozak 2:02.3h for Helene Gregory.

Sources: USTA’s David Carr, RUS Ontario, RUS New York

Monteamerica.com

Thomas H. Hicks