For the second consecutive week Hannah Miller and Peter Kleinhans each emerged victorious in their respective amateur contests at Monticello Raceway on Thursday afternoon.

Miller notched her 19th seasonal driving victory when she reined Stoman to a 1:55.4 win in the sixth leg of the Catskill Amateur Pacing Series after reining the same pacer to a 1:56.1 triumph last week. Kleinhans scored with Toss Cartwright in 2:00 in the sixth leg of the NAADA Trotting Series. Last week the pair was victorious in 1:58.1.

But once again the talents of “Hurricane Hannah” continue to be the lead story. The 24 year old miss, who was named the National Amateur Driver of the Year last season, is once again having a banner season.

In her split, Hannah left softly from the five-hole with Stoman and they were some nine lengths behind the leader as Tobins Fusion and driver Monica Banca tripped the quarter-pole timer in :27.2. As the field headed to the halfway point Miler moved her pacer first-up and they ranged alongside Tobins Fusion in a :57.4 half. From there the two ladies battled side-by-side past the three quarters and into the final turn. However, Banca’s pacer opened up two lengths on Miller’s as they headed for home but that margin was erased in the deep stretch as Stoman rallied to a neck triumph over Tobins Fusion in a 1:55.4 clocking. Third place went to KBs Bad Boy driven by Barry Addison.

“My horse came a long way through fast fractions but we were within striking distance at the three quarters. Although we lost some ground on the final turn I was still confident that we could catch Monica’s horse before the wire. And although we only won by a neck it was all we needed. He (Stoman) really went a big trip” Ms. Miller said after the race.

Jason MacDougall owns the winner who is trained by John Hallett. Stoman paid $4.60 for win.

Peter Kleinhans once again emerged victorious with Toss Cartwright in the NAADA Trot. Last week when they, won this event, Toss Cartwright was parked to the half before he made the front and when he did he trotted away from his competition and was a nine-length winner.

This week Kleinhans’ trotter was again parked on the limb but in a soft :29.4 first quarter. Once on the lead Toss Cartwright opened up three lengths on the field by the halfway point and that margin remained the same as they passed the three quarters. On the final turn Tony Verruso and Warrawee Preferred went three-deep around tiring horses and charged at the leader. But Toss Cartwright hung tough and was a solid one length winner over Verruso’s trotter. Woody finished third for Bob Davis.

“He's real good now but he’s always had foot problems and we had to lay him up from time to time this season. 'Toss" started back slowly this year and now he’s really coming around.” ,” Kleinhans said referring to Toss Cartwright.

Owned by Kleinhans’ girlfriend, Colleen Cash, and trained by John McDermott, backers of Toss Cartwright received $3.50 for each two dollar win ticket.

(CADC/NAADA)