by Shawn Wiles, for Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — Monticello Raceway hosted the Catskill Amateurs on Thursday afternoon (Oct. 12). The seven-horse field went to post for a purse of $3,900.

Ken Heins aboard Crown Isle left hard from the rail as did Fox Valley Leo and Monica Banca. Going into the first turn Strong Signal and the heavy favorite KJ Brent (Robert Krivelin) got tangled up in close quarters forcing KJ Brent off-stride.

Geri Schwarz photo

Sand Benelli paid $33.80 when he won the Catskill Amateur event at Monticello Raceway on Thursday.

Heins played hard ball and gave Banca a taste of the chilly Catskill Mountain air as the pair raced side-by-side past the quarter in :27.3; they continued in tandem to the half in :57.

Sand Benelli, the eventual race winner, at this point was last and gapped 15 lengths from the leader. Down the backside Crown Isle and Fox Valley Leo continued to slug it out; this is when the outer flow evolved.

Crown Isle still firmly held his ground as he took the field to the three-quarter marker in 1:27. Fox Valley Leo was getting leg weary on the outside causing congestion which forced Lighting Strike and Sand Benelli three-deep at the paddock gate, while the early pace setters began to tire.

The pair skipped away from the rest of the field by two lengths at the top the stretch. Bob Davis and Sand Benelli were able to get up in time to win over Lighting Strike by three-quarters of a length in 1:56 with Blue Fin third.

Sand Benelli paid $33.80.

Strong Signal finished third but due to the interference in the first turn was disqualified and set back to last.

Bob Davis owns and trains the well-traveled Sand Benelli, an 11-year-old gelding by The Panderosa, who garnered his third win of the year.