Two straight romps from Er Sophia

Er Sophia blew away the Monticello Raceway field for the second consecutive week as she reigned on the front end in Thursday’s harness racing feature.

Jim Taggart Jr. hustled the mare off the gate from post three, encouraging her to step around Railee Workable (Michael Merton) and take the lead midway through the first turn. Er Sophia needed little further instruction as she paced :29, :58.3, and 1:28.2 fractions and cruised away from her six foes to score by four and a half lengths in 1:57.2.

Railee Workable couldn’t capitalize on his pocket trip and finished second. Broadway Bruiser (Jim Devaux) went a first-over trip to take the show spot. The winner was well-backed and returned $2.70.

Er Sophia, a five-year-old Swan For All mare, now holds a record of 13-for-74 lifetime and more than $65,000 in earnings. Brenda Messenger of Monticello and Scott Woogen of North Chesterfield co-own; Gary Messenger trains. The horse won the same condition by four lengths in the previous week.

ER SOPHIA REPLAY

Jim Devaux was the day’s top reinsman with wins behind One Direction (1:58.3) in the second, Cajon Thomas (1:57) in the third, and Ricky Be Sharp (1:59.4) in the fifth.

Monticello Raceway will host its first Friday card of the season on Jun. 4 with a 12:10 p.m. first post and eight dashes.

For full race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink