Monticello, NY — Judge Ken (Joe Chindano Jr.) has been driving through NAADA series events. Still, this week’s schedule caused him to opt-in to the open ranks on a rainy Wednesday (Sept. 1) at Monticello Raceway.

Judge Ken cruised home a 7-3/4 length winner in 1:58.3. Geri Schwarz photo.

The recent purchase Bank Guard (Jim Devaux) started from post position five, dashing first out of the gate. Devaux briefly led the way to the quarter in :28.3 when Judge Ken suddenly had the right line pulled and started the outer flow as the pack approached the halfway point in :58.2.

Bank Guard began to fade back, causing a bottleneck which enabled Judge Ken to reach the three-quarter marker in 1:27.3. Judge Ken quickly drew away from his opponents by open lengths, cruising home a 7-3/4 length winner in 1:58.3. The betting favorite Mighty Surf (Mike Merton) finished second, and last week’s open winner Chip Chip Conway (Jim Taggart Jr.) followed.

Judge Ken, a 5-year-old gelding by Justice Hall, is trained by Steven Moore. Scott Keppler owns Judge Ken. It was the fifth win of the year for Judge Ken and pushed his seasonal earnings over $20,000.

Joe Chindano Jr. drove two winners, Bruce Aldrich Jr. had three winners on the card, and Murray Bassen had two training wins.