by Shawn Wiles, for Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — It is only fitting that on a weekend when we pause and honor those that have served and perished as members of our nation’s military forces, the aptly named Omaha Survivor would prevail against all odds.

The son of Ideal Towne gallantly battled back from a break behind the gate and spotted the field 15 lengths at the start. In fact, at the quarter-mile marker he was 11 lengths behind Shark Treasure, who was the leader. Once in gear, Omaha Survivor found himself parked in fourth on the outside a half-mile from home, as he took the overland route. As he approached the three-fourths juncture of the race, he began to place himself in contention despite his wide trip.

The gelding briefly saved some real estate and dove into the two hole for a split second. At the top of the lane his pilot, Mike Merton, pulled the right line and the veteran gallantly charged through the lane in a spirited stretch drive down the middle of the track to be victorious in 1:58.

The triumph provided Merton with his fourth win of the day.

Omaha Survivor is trained by Dolores Basilone for owner Greg Gardner of Sheridan, MI.

Merton took advantage of the absence of Monticello Raceway’s top leading drivers Bruce Aldrich and Jimmy Taggart Jr. and steered 5 winners on the afternoon’s nine-race card. He began to boost his driving statistics in the second half of the early double (the second race), scoring with Last Chance T ($5.00).

He came right back in the following contest to win with Brooklyn Benny in 1:56.3. Merton was second in the fourth race, but his journey aboard Omaha Survivor in the fifth race returned him to the winner’s circle.

He also won with Conrad Hanover in the seventh race ($3.30) and with Mungo in the eighth race ($19.20)

D.R. Ackerman also had a training/driving double on the card, reining Magic Tail, a 3-year-old daughter of Muscle Massive to a 2:03 win in the first race and Uncle Hanover (Muscle Hill) in the fourth race in 1:59.1

On Monday (May 30), Monticello Raceway will be dark for Memorial Day.

Live racing resumes Tuesday through Friday at 12:50 p.m.