by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — When Let’s Roll Joe and Special Report crossed the finish line simultaneously in a time of 1:55.1 in Monticello Raceway’s $15,000 Preferred Pace on Tuesday, February 13, they established a new track record for a dead heat victory.

With Special Report and driver Larry Stalbaum on the front-end, Let’s Roll Joe, in rein to Yannick Gingras, went first-up at the half, which was clocked in :58, and slowly gained on the pace-setter. As the two passed the three-quarters in 1:26, Let’s Roll Joe was still on the outside, a half-length length behind the leader. But in the homestretch Gingras urged his pacer and Let’s Roll Joe paced alongside Special Report and the two raced eye-ball to eye-ball through the lane and at the wire the photo finish camera couldn’t separate them.

Their clocking was a full two seconds faster than the former mark of 1:57.1 set by B G’s Classic (Billy Parker, Jr.) and Global Rage (Mike Eaton) on March 4, 1998.

The dead heat victory kept Special Report’s win steak alive and now the Keystone Raider 5-year-old gelding has strung together three in a row.

Gingras’ victory with Let’s Roll Joe was his fifth on the afternoon card.

Special Report, owned by Hugo Iodice of Bayonne, N.J. paid $2.20, $3.10 and $2.30 across the board. Let’s Roll Joe, a 5-year-old Cambest gelding owned by Larry Roman of Mt. Vernon, N.Y., returned $2.80, $3.00 and $2.50.