by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — The $15,000 trotting feature on Wednesday (Sept. 27) at Monticello Raceway turned out to be a real barn-burner when six of the seven starters charged down the stretch side-by-side to the finish line with the first four under the wire just noses apart, all timed identically in 1:59.1. The other two were only one tick behind.

Double Strength (#3) prevailed over Lemon Pepper (#5) and Bright Idea (#2).

After the judges studied the photograph they posted the Billy “Zeke” Parker, Jr.-driven Double Strength a short head winner with Lemon Pepper (Jimmy Devuax), Bright Idea (Larry Stalbaum) and B’s Startrek (Alan Schwartz) just noses apart.

“It was one of the best finishes of the year in our preferred trot,” said Eric Warner, the track’s director of racing. “Halfway down the stretch you couldn’t tell who was going to win it. And at the wire they were so close only the photo finish camera could tell the exact order of finish.”

Bright Idea was on the lead with B’s Startek shadowing his every move. They remained one-two through fractions of :28.3 and :58.1 until Double Strength moved at the leaders as they neared the three-quarter-mile marker which was clocked in 1:28.1. In the final turn the trailing horses fanned out and when the field straightened for home it looked like a cavalry charge that resulted in a blanket finish.

“My horse was in front halfway down the lane but they were coming at me,” winning driver “Zeke” Parker related. “It was a helluva finish but I thought I won it.”

Indeed Parker did, albeit by just a head. Double Strength, a 4-year-old Muscles Yankee gelding, scored his seventh victory of the year and raised his seasonal earnings to over $75,000. Owned by Briskwood Racing of Adrian, Mich. and trained by Kevin Johnson, Double Strength paid $11.80 to win.

Monticello/racehorsephoto.com photos

Hizzoner romped to a victory at Monticello.

The $12,500 trotting co-feature went to the lightly raced Lindy Lane stallion Hizzoner in a 2:00.2 clocking.

After winning four of six seasonal starts at Freehold Raceway, Hizzoner made his Monticello debut a winning one for trainer Richard Banca, who turned the lines over to Mark Beckwith.

As he did 110 times before, Beckwith added another triumph to his stats when he guided Hizzoner to a five length victory over John R Yankee, who was driven by Billy “Zeke” Parker, Jr. Third place went to Cassatt, arguably the best trotting mare on the grounds this season, who was handled by Larry Stalbaum.

Hizzoner, who has raced only 19 times in his career, scored his fifth seasonal triumph. Owned by his trainer, Hizzoner was sent off as the prohibitive favorite and returned $2.90 for win.