by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — Charles Strukel’s 10-year-old pacer Hogies Cam won his 18th race of the season at Monticello Raceway on Wednesday, August 6, and continues to lead all other Standardbreds in North America in races won this year.

The altered son of Camluck again used the front-end route to score a 1:57 victory — last half in :57 — over five rivals in a $7,000 claiming pace.

Once again, Jordan Stratton was at the controls for trainer Bob Beauregard and after tasting defeat last week when they finished second, Hogies Cam rebounded with yet another triumph.

“He (Hogies Cam) never ceases to amaze me. He’s got a lot of fight in him and even though Kyle (DiBenedetto driving NF Falconer) had a two hole trip behind me and was coming at us at the end, ole Cam dug in and held on to win another one,” Stratton related after the victory. “It’s hard to believe that Bo (trainer Bob Beauregard) can keep him sharp after 28 starts.”

Hogies Cam now leads runner-up Batalj Launcher by three victories, 18-15, among all Standardbreds in North America.

After establishing a new Monticello Raceway record of 10 consecutive victories in June, Beauregard has his sights set on the Mighty M all-time record of 22 seasonal victories, a mark which is currently owned by a claiming pacer named Golden Storm GB and set during the 1985 campaign.

Asked if he thinks he has a shot to break that record with Hogies Cam, Beauregard chirped confidently, “We’ll have that record before the end of September!”