by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — Charles Strukel’s Hogies Cam paced to his 17th seasonal triumph at Monticello Raceway on Friday, July 25, and extended his lead in victories over all other horses racing in North America.

Jordan Stratton was once again in the sulky for trainer Bob Beauregard and guided the 10-year-old Camluck gelding to a wire-to- wire victory in a 1:56.4 clocking, turning back seven other pacers, all in for a $7,000 claiming tag.

The victory was the third consecutive for the pacer although he was challenged strongly in the deep stretch by both Merles Boy N (Fern Paquet, Jr.) and Top Flight Rocket (Mike Forte). Hogies Cam dug in to put them away and scored a half-length victory.

When asked if he thought Hogies Cam might get beat after being so hard pressed in the deep stretch Stratton chuckled and said “he’s tough” and then continued “you can’t win 17 races and not be tough.”

Nearly two months ago Hogies Cam established a new track record of 10 consecutive victories, which erased the former mark of nine in-a-row set by pacer Don Torpid and driver Walter Case, Jr. back in 1983.

Now the pacer’s connections are eyeing another Monticello Raceway record, that being the most wins in a single season, which is currently held by Golden Storm GB, who won 22 races during the 1985 campaign.

Coincidently, the victory with Hogies Cam was just one of four on the card for the talented Stratton. He also won with John Devito’s Bella’s RBK in 2:01.1; with Chevon Ramsay’s Big Payoff in 1:58.2; and with Louanne Kroninger and the S & P Racing Stables’ Blueridge Hall in 1:58.3.