After finishing second two starts in a row, the third time was the charm for Lacarmelilana, who scored in the $6,700 Open Pace at Monticello Raceway on Tuesday (May 25).

Chantepleure and American Island were the first to leave the gate. American Island got to the lead first before the quarter in :27.3. Masterson was the first to pull before the half in 56:3, followed by Lacarmeliliana. American Island continued to set the pace past three-quarters in 1:25.4. At that point, driver John Desimone Jr. had Lacarmelilana in full gear and collared American Island down the lane to score in 1:55. Finishing second was Masterson and American Island was third.

It was the eighth win of the season for the eight-year-old daughter of Ashlees Big Guy for owner Ameer Najor of West Bloomfield, Mich. She is trained by Veronica Merton and paid $12.80 to win.

Also on the card, Captain Nemo, a $400,000 yearling, who sold as yearling under the name of Honorat Hanover, made his first start at four a winning effort, winning by three-quarter lengths over Georgie in 1:56.2 with Jim Taggart Jr. in the bike. At two, Captain Nemo raced against the best pacers in the land. The son of Captaintreacherous only raced three times at three. Local horseman Frank Yanoti purchased him at the Meadowlands Mixed sale conducted this winter at the Meadowlands for $26,000.

Bella The Ball blew up the tote board in the last race of the card, pulling off a 47-1 shocker in 1:57.1 and returned $96.50 for a $2.00 win ticket for the winning team of owners Bruce Aldrich Jr. and Laura Perrino. Jimmy Taggart Jr. drove 3 winners on the afternoon.

(Monticello Raceway)