It's not strange when victorious drivers show their appreciation to the crowd while in the winner's circle, but it is far from the norm when their equine partners

choose to do so.

After Greg Merton guided Valcyon Days to a 2:00:4 victory Wednesday, May 27 at Monticello Raceway, the six-year-old Dream Away gelding opted to show his class.

Whether it was intentional or not, Valcyon Days showed his winner's circle etiquette by taking a bow in the winners circle, as Bret Hanover often did.

“How many times [do] you see something like that,” Shawn Wiles, Monticello Raceway's assistant general manager, was quoted as saying. “It sure looked like Valcyon Days knew what he was doing.”

(With files from Monticello Raceway)