Monteverdi closed out the Hiawatha Horse Park meet with a victory in the $5,200 Preferred 3 Handicap Trot on Saturday, Sept. 20, his first win in the track’s top class since 2023.

Andy Moore started the gelding fourth from post two, dropping back as Hot Fudge Sundae (Alfie Carroll) charged to the front before releasing The Great Reset (Lorne House) at the quarter in :27.4. Monteverdi sat in fourth and waited for cover, which he found from the advancing For All You Know (Dennis Duford) nearing the half in :58.1. The outer flow made headway to three-quarters in 1:28.1, and Monteverdi tipped out to create a three-wide battle between him, leader Hot Fudge Sundae, and the first-over For All You Know as they rounded the final turn. Hot Fudge Sundae bowed out in the stretch, leaving it to the outside two, and Monteverdi battled past For All You Know to win by a half-length in 1:58.1. Wrap And A Hooey (Garrett Rooney) closed for third.

Monteverdi, an 11-year-old son of Cantab Hall-Cameo Credit, tallied his 36th lifetime win and raised his earnings to $354,809 in 283 starts. Jeff Graham trains the gelding for Karry Howard of Wardsville, Ont. The win price was $11.60.

Trainer Lindsey Kerr won the fourth race with Thejackofdiamonds ($20.70), which secured her the training title. She finished with 13 wins, one more than Robert Doyle, who also scored once on the card. It was her second straight season as leading trainer after tying with Cassidy Schneider in 2024.

Garrett Rooney did not reach the winner’s circle on Saturday — a rare occurrence at Hiawatha — but he had already wrapped up his fourth straight driving title entering the card. He amassed 46 victories during the meet and finished with a 15-win margin over second-placed Doyle.

To view Saturday’s harness racing results, click the following link: Saturday Results - Hiawatha Horse Park.

(Standardbred Canada)