by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — Golden Storm GB’s record of 22 wins during a single season at Monticello is safe — for now. On Thursday afternoon, November 13, Hogies Cam, with 21 wins under his belt this year, failed to equal the Monticello Raceway track record for the most wins during one campaign when the venerable pacer finished third with regular driver Jordan Stratton aboard.

One doesn’t need a clairvoyant to conclude that after 37 previous starts the 10-year-old Camluck gelding is a bit tired. However, Hogies Cam gave his best on the front-end but he tired in the deep stretch and a third-place finish was the best he could muster.

As the field headed for home Solitaire and driver Billy Dobson were the first to collar Hogies Cam, followed by Him N Me with Cedric Washington driving. With nearly equal fractions throughout the mile a final time of 2:00 was a far cry from the 1:56 and 1:57 clockings the old timer was victorious in earlier this year.

“He just doesn’t grab the bit like he did when he was sharp,” Stratton related after Hogies Cam’s third-place finish. “We got the lead fairly easy and the fractions weren’t stiff but the old guy fell short again.”

Stratton shaked his head and then added, “You know, he’s had a long season and though he’s not himself right now he really doesn’t have anything to be ashamed of.”

Although Hogies Cam didn’t equal the Mighty M record, his 21 wins are tops by any Standardbred racing in North America this year.