After couple of false starts due to weather conditions the granddaddy of all amateur driving series finally presented another leg of the 2021 season on Monday at Yonkers Raceway and when the judges hung the official sign that evening “Mighty Marianna” Monaco emerged victorious after she sat back and then and rallied Hot Summer Knight to a head victory over the pace-setter, Pound Sterling, who was driven Bob “the Head-hunter” Hechkoff.

When the starter said “go” Hechkoff gunned Pound Sterling to the lead from post position six and they had command on the first turn and led five others by the first quarter in :29.1. Comfortable on the lead Pound Sterling and Wygant Prince (“Coach Paul” Minore) were one-two as they passed the half in 1:00.2.

Perhaps the soft race track kept the trailers from moving early and the field remained in the same order as they approached the three quarters.

Monaco was the first to move off the pylons and she rallied Hot Summer Knight up alongside the Pound Sterling and when they rounded the final turn the former was the strong horse and he collared Pound Sterling for a head victory in 2:03. Wygant Prince held on for the show dough.

The winner, a 10-year-old Justice Hall gelding, is owned by Lynette Buter and trained by Todd Buter

(CKG Billings Harness Driving Series)