by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — After four consecutive weeks of being a bridesmaid, Getthemoney got all the money in the weekly $8,900 Preferred Trot at Monticello Raceway on Wednesday, May 21.

Racehorsephoto.com photo

Getthemoney and Jimmy Marohn won the Mighty M Preferred Trot in 1:59.3.

The former Mighty M award winning trotter — 3-year-old of the year in 2005 — took no prisoners with a gate-to-wire, 1:59.3 victory for driver Jimmy Marohn — which equaled the trotter’s lifetime record.

Beaten a head last week by Bodacious Storm and driver Billy Parker, Jr., Getthemoney and Marohn had Bodacious Storm in behind them all the way to the three-quarters, but when Bodacious Storm went off-stride near the three-quarter pole his chances of repeating were thwarted.

Undaunted by what happened behind them, Getthemoney and Marohn trotted on with no serious challenges and crossed the wire three lengths ahead of runner-up Clearly Possessed, with Jack Rice in the pilot’s seat. Rose Run Hot Rod, who recovered after going off stride at the start, finished third for Bruce Aldrich, Jr.

For Getthemoney it was his third victory of the year and it raised his seasonal bankroll to over $33,500. Owned by Betsy Phillips, Getthemoney was sent off as the betting favorite in the race and returned a $3.90 win mutuel.

Jordan Stratton, who’ll celebrate his 21st birthday on June 30, also won a race on the card as did Bruce Aldrich, Jr., but Stratton is still atop the local leaderboard with 124 driving victories, 12 more than runner-up Aldrich’s 112.

Stratton, who does double-duty on most days, is also among the leading drivers at Yonkers Raceway. His 65 wins at the Hilltop oval rank him fifth on their list.

Stratton has already reined 197 winners in 2008, which places him ninth in North America, an amazing stat for the 20-year-old reinsman whose star is definitely on the rise.