by Shawn Wiles, for Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — As is the norm, Monticello Raceway Thursday’s (Nov. 2) racing card featured amateur racing. The Catskill Amateurs were featured in an eight-horse field that went to post for a purse of $3,900.

Geri Schwarz photo

Jennifer Lappe and Lightning Strike were 1:56.2 winners.

As the gate left, Jennifer Lappe and Lightning Strike spurted away from post position six. She was followed by Monica Banca and Fox Valley Leo in post three. Banca was the recent winner of the Catskill Amateur final held earlier in the year,

Lightning Strike and Lappe cut fractions of :28.2, :58, and 1:27 and tripped the beam in 1:56.2 on her way to a 2-3/4 length victory over the pocket sitting Fox Valley Leo. Sand Benelli (Bob Davis) finished third.

It was the fifth win of the year for Lightning Strike, a 9-year-old gelding by Cam Terrific. He is owned and trained by William Mintz of Harris, N.Y.