by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

On March 23 Sticky Spice was claimed for $5,000 at Monticello Raceway by Robert Weinstein of Bellmore , NY and since then the trotter has been undefeated in six starts for his new owner.

On Wednesday, May 11th the seven-year-old altered son of Cumin trotted the fastest mile of his career when he defeated six others in a time of 1:59.1 in the tracks weekly $8,000 open trot.

The 1:59.1 mile was just one fifth of a second off the track standard set by Road Kar in 1997.

Mike Merton, who has driven the trotter for trainer Ricky Maher, Jr. ever since Weinstein claimed him two months ago, used the passing lane to score a two-length victory over Danzig and driver Stephane Bouchard.

Merton set sails with Sticky Spice when the gate sprung and had command in the first turn but yielded it to Danzig and Bouchard as the two trotters passed the quarter mile marker in 29 seconds flat. From there Danzig cut the wind and Sticky Spice shadowed his every move.

Up the backstretch the final time around Dagger Hanover and driver Jimmy Devaux challenged the leader and though they raced as a team around the turn Danzig put away that challenge and then braced for the charge from Sticky Spice and it came when Merton saw daylight up the passing lane. Sticky Spice then trotted on by Danzig for a two length triumph. Cassatt finished third for Claude Huckabone III.

Understandably Sticky Spice was the betting favorite and returned just $3.60 for win.

“I still don’t think we hit bottom with him yet ” Merton said referring to Sticky Spice’s 1:59.1 victory. “After Ricky (trainer Maher, Jr.) claimed him we beat $5,000 claimers and then he won a $7,000 claiming race and then two $12,500 claimers. He (Sticky Spice) beat the open trotters last week and now he’s won two in a row against the best (trotters) on the grounds. He’s easy to handle and can race in front or from a hole and he may be the claim of the year.”

Blast Off, recently claimed for $10,000 at Freehold Raceway by Tony Mercurio and Pat DeRito of Cliffside Park , NJ and now trained by Peter Lutman, copped the $7,500 trotting co-feature here with Greg Merton at the controls.

Blast Off covered the mile distance in a time of 2:00.1 and defeated Thishorsewillfly, who was driven by Mike Forte, and Pitandthepandulum, in rein to Alan Schwartz.