Monticello, NY — After two unsuccessful tries in the Open, the third time was the charm for P H Kenny, who won Tuesday’s (Aug. 31) Open Pace at Monticello Raceway in 1:54.

After allowing the dust to settle early, P H Kenny brushed to the fore and evaded his foes in Tuesday’s Open Pace at Monticello. Geri Schwarz photo.

Sammy B Happy (Joe Chindano Jr.) rushed to the lead as the gate left, as did Camwood (Michael Merton). Sammy B Happy briefly had the lead before the :27.4 first quarter, but Cory Stratton, aboard P H Kenny, quickly pulled the two-hole, took the lead past the quarter, and took the pack through fractions of :56.2 and 1:25.2. At this point, Camwood began to tire and P H Kenny kept the field at bay with a one-length advantage. Stratton continued to urge P H Kenny down the lane to win by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:54. Sammy B Happy benefitted from a perfect trip and finished second, followed by KJ Erich (Jim Taggart Jr.). Camwood, last week’s Open winner, was parked the entire mile and finished in fourth.

P H Kenny, a 9-year-old gelded son of Lis Mara trained by Veronica Merton for the Cinderella Stables, notched his fourth win of the 2021 season. Merton enjoyed a training double on the afternoon as Metro Glide won the eighth race in 1:56.2 with John DeSimone in the sulky.