Monticello, NY — The featured race on Tuesday (April 8) at Monticello Raceway was the $8,500 Open Pace that saw the out of town import Fess Up N, from the powerful Rob Harman barn, go wire-to-wire in 1:57.4 ($2.20) with Mike Merton in the bike.
Fess Up N was sent off at odds of 1-9. Starting from post position four, the 6-year-old son of Bettor’s Delight set sensible splits of :28.1, :59.1 and 1:28.4. Down the stretch he was getting leg weary as Hurrikane Jonnyboy (Kyle Dibenedetto) uncorked a :28.1 final stanza, but came up short by a half-length. Hopnroll Heaven (Greg Merton) got up for the show spot.
Whitley was sent off at odds of 24-1 in a $5,900 conditioned pace and turned in a shocker for trainer–driver Dustin Miller as she won in 2:00.4 ($51.50) and earned her first seasonal win.
Forza, a 3-year-old gelded son of Huntsville, posted a 2:00.4 score in his sophomore debut for trainer Robert Dill. He was driven to the win by Dibenedetto, one of his three scores on the day.
Second place leading dash driver Bruce Aldrich Jr. recorded a driving double on the 10-race card.