by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — It isn’t a first, but certainly a rarity, when an equine mother and her daughter both race on a single card. The latest incarnation happened at Monticello Raceway on Monday, August 10, when the 2-year-old trotting filly Thergosmyvacation and her dam, H F’s Gal, both competed on the afternoon card.

Thergosmyvacton fared much better than her mother that day because the Dream Vacation-sired filly won her $12,800 division of the New York Sire Stakes Late Closer trot for freshman trotting fillies. H F’s Gal, a $176,000 career earner, raced for a $9,000 claiming tag in a later event on the card, and though she led until the three-quarters she tired and finished back.

And to add to the oddities of the day all three trots were won by daughters of the now exported Dream Vacation.

Geri Schwarz photo

Thergosmyvacation scored in 2:05.1 for driver/trainer Joe Moeykens.

Three divisions of the New York Sire Stakes Late Closer trots for 2-year-old trotting fillies were the featured events and Thergosmyvacation turned in the fastest time of the three when Joe Moeykens drove her to a come-from-behind, 2:05.1 victory over pacesetting Spring Break Lindy and driver Harold Smith. Owned by Moeykens’ wife Laura, the victory produced a new lifetime mark for the lightly raced filly.

Billy “Zeke” Parker, Jr., who has been driving like days of old, won both of the other trots though one of them was raced off the betting card. And Parker didn’t stop there (more about that later).

Parker won the non-betting late closer trot when he guided Dream State to an easy 2:05.3, three length triumph over Malarika and driver John Stark, Jr. It was the maiden victory for the daughter of Dream Vacation-Dusty Girl who is owned by Regina Dewhurst and trained by Dave Dewhurst.

Pembroke Glitz, the other Dream Vacation filly to win a late closer trot, is out of Yankee Gazelle. As in his previous victory Parker took no prisoners and went wire-to-wire to notch the first career victory for the Bill Varney-owned filly. Study Hall was second best in that one for John Stark, Jr.

Now back to the bearded-wonder whose 200 wins is tops on the local leaderboard.

Parker has been winning races in bunches every day and Monday was no exception. Besides his two victories in the NYSS Late Closers, Parker won four other races for a total of six. He also won with Bella Paradisa (2:01), Pembroke Motion (2:00.1), Flashy Lady (2:01.1), and Stampede Seelster (1:59.2).