The race unfolded differently, but the result was the same at the end, as Hyway Marcus was victorious this past Sunday evening (October 8) in the RUS MidAtlantic Monte Trotting Series Final at Rosecroft Raceway.
With the victory, Hyway Marcus completed the hat trick, sweeping the series.
Determined to not let Hyway Marcus have his own way, One True Friend (ridden by Hillary Hartnett) powered to the front and parked Hyway Marcus to the first quarter with Keenan (Maria Buchanan) third and racing along the rail following the leader. Hartnett had her horse, the lone mare in the race, in front by one and a quarter length at the first station, which was clicked off in a brisk :28.1.
After having been stung throughout the first quarter, Sascha Moczulski took Hyway Marcus to the front while One True Friend sat second through middle fractions of :58.1 and 1:28.1 (the leader was two lengths in front at the three-quarters mark). At that juncture, Keenan was beginning to tire, and was six lengths behind the leader in third place.
Once past the three-quarters marker, the all-to-familiar story played out; as Hyway Marcus opened up on the field with a seven-length lead at the top of the stretch. Hyway Marcus went on to coast home in a final quarter of :31.4 to stop the teletimer in 2:00. The margin of victory was seven and a half lengths over One True Friend, who had put the victor to task in the early portion of the race. Catalyst (Stephanie Jacobs) closed from sixth at the three-quarters mark and finished third, another length behind. Fourth, but placed fifth for violation of the breaking rule, was Mr Protab, while Pine Tab was elevated to fourth. Keenan, who paid the price for his early pace, finished sixth.
With the victory, Hyway Marcus finished the season with a perfect three-for-three record, and now has a lifetime RUS record of 6-1-0 from eight starts. The six-year-old son of Gut Instinct is owned by Joseph Faraldo, Gilbert Teitel, and Charels Wittstruck. Moczulski was the winning trainer.
RUS MidAtlantic would like to thank all of its sponsors of the series: Back on Track, Knutsson Trotting, Miller Lite, Poulin Grain, in addition to numerous others. Plans are already underway for the 2018 series. Anyone interested in becoming a member of RUS MidAtlantic, or a sponsor of the 2018 series, may contact RUS MidAtlantic through its website (rus-midatlantic.org).
(RUS MidAtlantic)