Samsawinner, a five-year-old Victory Sam gelding, scored an stunning 1:58:4 triumph in the weekly trotting feature at Monticello Raceway on Wednesday afternoon, January 5

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A recent purchase by Woody Hoblitzell of Destin, Florida, Samsawinner was reined to victory by hot-handed Bruce Aldrich Jr.

Sent off second choice from post position six in the nine-horse field, Aldrich sent the trotter to the lead as the wings of the mobile starting gate folded and they had command on the first turn. Samsawainner passed the quarter in :29 and rambled by the half in :59.3 at which point Brandon Simpson moved favoured Benns Sure Thing out to challenge but they could only get within a length of the leader. The three quarter time was 1:29.1, and with a :29.3 final stanza Samawinner was just that, defeating Benns Sure Thing by 1-1/4 lengths.

The final time was one and one-fifth second off the track record of 1:57.3 for older trotting geldings, which oddly Benns Sure Thing set last summer. Third place went to Sams Honeybee and driver Jimmy Marohn.

Samsawinner, who bankrolled almost $43,000 last season paid $4.70 for win.

(Monticello)