Rose Run Nash scored his 18th victory of the season at Monticello Raceway on Wednesday afternoon when Jimmy Marohn Jr. drove him to a 1:57.4 triumph over On The Podium and Bruce Aldrich Jr.

Now the five-year-old altered son of Trainforthefuture has moved four victories ahead of Too Salty and continues to lead North America in races won this year by a trotter. In fact, Rose Run Nash trails Mighty M pacer Shortest Distance by just one triumph for most victories by any standardbred in 2014.

Coming into the contest off a 1:57.4 victory last week, Rose Run Nash repeated that performance with a gutsy victory today (September 10).

The race began with Larry Stalbaum sending Mr Invincible to the front and carrying Marohn’s trotter to a :27.4 first quarter before they relinquished command. Once on top, Marohn kept the pedal to the metal and had a two length lead at the half as the timer tripped :58.

Up the backside, the betting favourite On The Podium, in from Saratoga Raceway, trotted by Mr Invincibe and was in second position behind the pacesetter as they trotted by the third stanza in 1:27.4.

When the field headed for home, Rose Run Nash had already held off a challenge from Typical Newyorker (Mike Merton) and still had a one length lead. However, by mid-stretch Rose Run Nash was visibly tired, but he was dead game when On The Podium rallied along the pylons.

Rose Run Nash was giving such a great effort that his head swung from side to side like a pendulum with each hard fought stride toward the finish line. So much so that the head swinging was visibly noticeable to the rail birds, who got to see a determined veteran equine give his all to win a race, something that Rose Run Nash has done 17 times previously this year.

“He was running out in the stretch and I let him do it so as not to interfere with his determination to win. And I wasn’t jerking his head from side to side, he was doing it himself reaching down for something extra with each of his final strides,” Marohn said in the winner’s circle as trainer Danny Gill held his pupil’s head and kept chirping “number 18, number 18” referring to Rose Run Nash’s season win total.

“I’ve driven a lot of horses but I don’t think I ever felt the determination that Rose Run Nash showed in his victory today,” Marohn added. “Maybe he is used to winning but he surely gave his all in victory today. And people will tell you they (horses) are dumb animals, but when you are around them you know better.”

Rose Run Nash is owned by Ed Hall. He paid $4.40 for win.

(Monticello Raceway)