Monticello, NY — The betting crowd had confidence that Marianna Monaco would win the $5,000 NAADA Trot at Monticello Raceway on Thursday afternoon (Nov. 5); so much so that they sent her trotter, Hot Summer Knight, away as the 1-5 favorite. And she didn’t let them down.

It took a strong stretch drive and a :29 final quarter but she hustled the veteran Justice Hall gelding to a come-from-behind triumph over the pacesetter, Ladys Big Stormont (Alan Schwartz), for a half-length victory in a 2:00 clocking.

When the wings of the mobile gate folded Schwartz gunned Ladys Big Stormont to the lead from the three-hole while Monaco floated away in second position from the two-hole and they remained one-two by the first stanza in :29.4. With no one challenging, Schwartz tapped the breaks — albeit lightly — and he led his competition by the halfway point in 1:00.1.

Despite a few starters being on the limb as the leaders trotted by the half it appeared that the race would be decided between Schwartz and Monaco — and it was. Ladys Big Stormont got first call by the three-quarters but he was being stalked by the odds-on favorite Hot Summer Knight. And when they rounded the final turn and headed for home Schwartz’s charge was strong on the lead but Monaco’s trotter was a bit stronger and Hot Summer Knight rallied in the final strides for the victory. Noble Warrawee finished third for Mike Polansky.

It was the fourth seasonal driving victory for the former Gamecock (she’s a graduate of the University of South Carolina), who had been a pupil of Richie La Cava.

Hot Summer Knight is owned by Lynette Buter and trained by Todd Buter. He paid $2.70 for win.

Next Thursday the series continues at Yonkers Raceway.