by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — It wasn’t another track record performance, but Miss Gibbons’ 2:00.1 victory in Monticello Raceway’s weekly $8,000 Open Trot on Wednesday (May 25) was just as impressive; maybe more so.

With her owner, 78-year-old Dr. Howard E. Gill at the controls, Miss Gibbons had to endure a very tough overland journey early in the race and then held off a fresh Blast Off to score a neck triumph, her second in a row and third in five seasonal starts.

“I pretty much let her do whatever she wanted when the gate sprung and we cruised out of there looking for a hole but there was none so I decided I’d better go for the lead,” Doc Gill said after his driving victory.

“I was worried when we got parked past the quarter in :28.3 seconds and I know that being on the outside in a :58.3 half had to take a lot out of her. But she’s a gritty ole gal.”

Texas Levec and driver Johnny DeSimone, Jr. gained the lead from Cassatt (Claude Huckabone III) when the field neared the quarter pole and once on top, DeSimone braced for Miss Gibbons, who was on an overland route. After he parked her around the paddock turn DeSimone let Miss Gibbons take command just before the half-mile timer flashed :58.3 seconds.

No sooner did Miss Gibbons get the lead, when Mike Merton, who was driving Sticky Spice, moved up to challenge the leader. The two raced as a team past the six furlong marker in 1:29.1, and in the final turn the challenger began to fade and Miss Gibbons trotted off to a length lead. But Blast Off (Greg Merton), who saved ground along the inside, was fresh and Merton moved him to the passing lane and they began to slowly gain on the leader.

As the finish line approached, Miss Gibbons dug in and held Blast Off at bay for a neck triumph. Sticky Spice rallied again on the outside and finished third, just one length off the winner.

“I was so busy watching Mike (Merton with Sticky Spice on the outside) that I didn’t even see the horse (Blast Off) coming up on the inside,” Doc Gill admitted. “It’s a good thing Miss Gibbons did!”

Miss Gibbons and her septuagenarian owner, trainer and driver are gaining a bigger local following every time she races. Despite having to start on the far outside from post seven, she was still the betting favorite in the race and returned a $5.10 win mutuel to her backers.