Monticello, NY — Wednesday afternoon’s (April 2) 10-race card at Monticello was highlighted by two Open Trots.
In the first $7,400 contest, Paya Tuesday was content to let Jumpshot and Massive Opulence do all the heavy lifting before scoring a come from behind victory over Win And Dream in a tight photo in 1:59.4 ($11.00). Paya Tuesday was driven by hot newcomer Colin Kelly for trainer Ann Yurenka.
The second Open Trot was a seven-horse affair with the 3-5 favorite Emma Town Bud hailing from post five. He was the first off the gate and was the leader at every beam. Lined up behind was Woodside Genius (Jim Taggart Jr.) and Altus Hanover (Greg Merton).
The positions did not change throughout the mile and the trio finished in that order with Emma Town Bud stopping the timer in 1:57.3 ($3.20) for his second consecutive win for trainer-driver Pierre Bovay. The 8-year-old gelded son of Big Stick Lindy is owned by Nicole Bovay Gurtner.
After a training triple yesterday, Ken Koch came back with a double on today’s nine-race card. Koch is in second places for leading dash winning trainers. Leading driver Michael Merton had a pair of winners.