by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — 19-year-old Jordan “the Kid” Stratton got the fastest trotting ride of his fledgling career on Wednesday, March 21, when he guided Bacon Hill Scott to a resounding 1:59.1 victory in Monticello Raceway’s weekly $15,000 Preferred Trot.

“The Kid”, who continues to show he has the right stuff, subbed for regular driver Claude Huckabone, III and undoubtedly made the horse’s connections happy with the victory — the horse’s second of the year — and even established a new seasonal mark with the 5-year-old Sir Taurus gelding in the process.

Racehorsephoto.com photo

Bacon Hill Scott gave “the Kid” his first sub-2:00 trotting victory on a double oval.

Bacon Hill Scott started from post position two but was some six lengths off the leader, Iroquoindiangiver (Alan Schwartz), at the quarter in :29.3. When the field rounded the paddock turn the first time around, Stratton moved his trotter first-up and challenged Iroquoindiangiver for the lead, though the latter still had command as they passed the half in :1:00. However, by the time they reached the three-quarter marker, Stratton’s gelding trotted alongside Schwartz’s charge as the timer flashed 1:30, and then Bacon Hill Scott took command in the final turn.

From there it was all Bacon Hill Scott as he began to open daylight between himself and the rest of the field and he finished an easy three length winner in a time of 1:59.1. Iroquoindiangiver tired in the lane and was out-trotted for second money by Clearway — the winner in this class last week– who was handled by Ray Schnittker.

The victory pushed Bacon Hill Scott’s seasonal earnings to over $21,000, and for “the Kid” it marked his 21st winner of the season, and of that number 17 were recorded here at the Mighty M. And for Stratton it was his first sub-2:00 trotting victory on a double oval.

Owned by James Ray, John Alutto, Jr., Bennett Velocci and John Esposito, Bacon Hill Scott paid $8.40 for win.

It was just another day at the office for Stephane Bouchard as the Montreal native, now Goshen, N.Y. resident, reined four winners on the Monticello afternoon card.

He started the afternoon with a 1:59.2 victory with pacer Reckless Heart and then scored with trotters Sandy Britches (2:01.1) in the fifth race and with Heaven And Hall (2:00.2) in the sixth. He capped his Monticello appearance with a 1:58.3 victory behind pacer Amboy Rocket in the seventh race.

However, for Bouchard that was only half a day and he sped off down the road to Yonkers Raceway, where he reined three more winners that evening.

Now in second place in North America this season with 200 driving victories, Bouchard is keeping the pressure on Tim Tetrick, who currently leads with 237 wins.