by John Manzi

Monticello, NY — The beat goes on for Northern Chief. The pacer, who races without an overcheck, notched his 13th consecutive victory on Tuesday, November 23 at Monticello Raceway, thus extending his own track record for most wins in a row.

Mike Merton drove the 7-year-old altered son of Apache’s Fame to a wire-to-wire 1:57:3 victory, last half in :58, over Jus Trouble driven by Bruce Aldrich, Jr. Mr Thinker finished third for Brandon Simpson.

Photo by Geri Schwarz

Northern Chief won in 1:57.3 for driver Mike Merton.

Oddly, on October 27 when Northern Chief scored his 10th consecutive victory, he equaled the record co-held by Hogies Cam in 2008 and Mr Thinker, who won 10 in a row earlier this year.

After leaving from the three-hole Merton gunned Northern Chief to the front and then cruised by quarters of :29.3; :59.2 and 1:28.2 before the pacer kicked in another 29 second final stanza en route to a 1-1/2 length triumph.

Needless to say that when Northern Chief returned the winner’s circle Merton had a big smile on his face and shouted “Ain’t he something. He just digs in and refuses to lose. They don’t make too many like him.”

This season, in the $4,000 claiming ranks, Northern Chief has been only off the board twice in 21 starts. His yearly stats include 14 wins, four seconds and one third and purses in excess of $23,500.

Northern Chief, trained by Gary Messenger for Robert Merton, Jr. and Al Desimone, was sent off at odds of 1-4 and paid just $2.50 for win.