by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — Jessica Marley’s 8-year-old pacing mare Lolita made it two straight at Monticello and the daughter of Broadway Hall now has three victories and one second in four seasonal starts.

Racehorsephoto.com photo

Lolita (Bruce Aldrich, Jr.) overtook Zeeskite (Jordan Stratton) in the final strides.

On Monday afternoon, January 28, Bruce Aldrich, Jr. guided the mare to a 1:57.4 triumph over Zeeskite, who was driven by Jordan Stratton. Last week Lolita was victorious in a time of 2:00.1.

With Ron Cushing cutting the fractions with Miss McIvor N, Stratton moved Zeeskite up to challenge at the half-mile marker but they were rebuffed when Cushing didn’t relinquish the lead.

Seeing that Zeeskite was going to be caught on the limb, Aldrich quickly moved Lolita second-up and followed tightly behind Zeeskite. Meanwhile, Miss McIvor N continued strong on the lead and was still in front as the field headed into the final turn.

But in the stretch Zeeskite got her head in front and appeared to be a winner until Aldrich swung Lolita three-deep and she charged home for a neck victory in a seasonal best of 1:57.4. Miss McIvor N hung on gamely for the show dough, just a length behind the top two finishers.

Though she showed two wins and one second in three seasonal starts, the betting public still let Lolita get away at odds of 13-1 — probably because she had to start from post position seven.

It was the 23rd lifetime victory for Lolita, who returned a $29.60 win payoff, and it was the first of two winners on the card for Aldrich, who continues to lead the local driving colony with 23 wins.

Aldrich also won the 11th race with Missy’s QT in 1:59.2.

Two other drivers had two wins on the card and Jordan “the Kid” Stratton won three.

Mike Merton won with trotter Noble Giant (2:03.3) in the second race and with Western Samantha (2:00.1) in the third. Billy Parker, Jr. won behind trotter Ivy League Student (2:02.4) in the fourth and with Preyingondaylite (1:58.1) in the 10th.

Stratton, currently runner-up to Aldrich in races won this season with 18, scored behind Brooklyn Khaki (2:02.2) in the first race and with Sand Sugar (2:00.3) in the fifth. My Brian (1:59.2) was the third victory of the afternoon for “The Kid,” who later that evening scored another triumph at Yonkers Raceway.