by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — There must be something to the adage that horses who win a lot often seem to keep on winning.

Case in point: Hogies Cam.

Geri Schwarz photo

Hogies Cam, driven by Jordan Stratton, struggled but held off Show-Time-Sam to notch his 20th season’s victory.

At Monticello Raceway on Wednesday afternoon, August 20, Hogies Cam, despite a move-up in class, showed sheer grit when the veteran pacer held off a late charge by Show-Time-Sam and driver Billy “Zeke” Parker, Jr. to score his 20th seasonal victory.

Once again, Jordan Stratton was at the controls when the Charles Strukel-owned Hogies Cam stopped the timer in 1:56.4.

Now with 20 seasonal victories, Hogies Cam continues to lead all other Standardbreds in North America in races won this year. He continues to put more distance between himself and runners-up Batalj Launcher and Mr Love Joy, who have won 15 times each.

“I can’t believe this guy (Hogies Cam),” said Jordan Stratton after Hogies Cam’s victory. “Bo (trainer Bob Beauregard) put him in for $10,000 this time after racing many weeks for a $7,000 tag and even though Billy’s (Parker, Jr.) horse looked him in the eye from the top of the stretch to the wire, ole Cam held on to win another. He’s tough…real tough!”

Currently with 20 victories here, Hogies Cam has the Mighty M track record for seasonal triumphs in his sights. That standard currently belongs to another veteran pacer, Golden Storm GB, who won 22 times during the 1985 campaign.

There is little doubt that Strukel made a good claim back on May 5 when he plunked down $5,000 to take Hogies Cam. The investment in the horse has been returned seven fold with Hogies Cam’s current bankroll at $39,557.

After Strukel purchased the 10-year-old altered son of Camluck, trainer Beauregard was asked why he chose to claim Hogies Cam.

“I’d been watching him for a while and found out he could get around a half (-mile track) without any trouble,” Beauregard said at the time. “A few years ago he (Hogies Cam) won in 1:53.2 at Maywood Park — a half-mile track — and I’m good with classy old horses and I believe I was right on the mark with him.”

Now with just two victories needed to equal the Mighty M track mark of 22 seasonal wins, Beauregard is more confident than ever and boasts, “We’ll have the record before September ends.”

Stratton wins seven at Monticello

There’s little doubt that Jordan Stratton is a rising star. The 21-year-old reinsman, who has been atop the leaderboard at Monticello Raceway all season long, enjoyed his best day ever in the sulky when he won seven races on the Wednesday card at the Mighty M.

Stratton’s driving clinic began in the third race on the program when he guided Financial Aid to a 1:58.2 victory, which was the first of six wins in-a-row for the talented youngster.

Stratton then won consecutively with trotter Illini N ($3.50) in 1:59.4; One Step More ($4.00) in 1:59.2; Hogies Cam ($14.00) in 1:56.2; Colie ($13.20) in 1:58.2; and with trotter Abaton Hanover ($5.80) in 1:59.4.

Stratton capped his day with a 1:58.2 triumph behind Quickful Bliss in the 12th race.

Though he had won six races on one program here earlier this year, his output on August 20 is the biggest yet of his fledgling career.

Currently Stratton has 230 wins at Monticello Raceway and his 385 seasonal triumphs ranks him fourth best in North America.