by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — It’s been almost two weeks since El Paso Hanover shipped to Monticello Raceway and defeated seven others to win the $6,800 weekly Open Pace in a new lifetime mark of 1:55.4.

On Tuesday afternoon, May 10, El Paso Hanover was back again with similar results. The seven-year-old gelding again won the weekly Open Pace, but the purse this time was $8,000 and the final time was 1:54.4, which was another new lifetime mark for the altered son of Western Hanover, owned by David Krol of Alden, New York.

Trainer Mike DeLano again availed himself of the driving services of Kyle DiBenedetto and DiBenedetto responded by guiding the pacer to a four length victory over Al’s Court A, who was driven by Mike Merton, and Waterside Speed, with Billy Parker, Jr. at the controls.

Last time El Paso Hanover paid $11.80 for win, but this time he returned a paltry $4.30 win mutuel.

With his victory El Paso Hanover upped his lifetime earnings to over $101,000.

The pacing co-feature went to Anthony Annunziata, Jr.’s Kelly Mota, in rein to Mike Merton, in a time of 1:56.2. They turned back Colonel Montgomery, who was driven by Kyle DiBenedetto, and Flame And Fortune, with Steve Brown aboard.

This week director of racing Eric Warner added a new class — for non-winners of $600 per start with $15,000 claimers also eligible — to his racing program which was won by Frank Canzone’s Crackin Good, who was driven to victory by Mike Merton in a time of 1:56.3.

Newcomer Larry Stalbaum had his best afternoon to date, winning three races on the card — the fastest a 1:55 effort by Shadows Best Buddy, who’s owned by Kimberly Asher. Stalbaum also scored with Harvey Eisner’s Jessie Will in a time of 1:59.1 and with Kimberly Asher’s Jokers Jackpot, in a 1:57.3 clocking.

For the record, every race on the card went faster than 2:00, which marked the first time that ever happened in the 47-year history of Monticello Raceway.