Dominic Macedonio was a longtime horseman at Monticello Raceway, as he had participated at the 'Mighty M' since the early 1960s. Upon his passing last year, the raceway named a pacing series in his honour. The first leg of the series was contested Thursday, January 5, and Hallin Gator turned in the fastest time of the five splits (three were for horses and geldings and two were for fillies and mares).
Kyle DiBenedetto drove the Gary Campbell-trained Hallin Gator, and the duo utilized the front end to score a 1:59.4 victory.
The other males that captured opening-leg splits were Imposter A (2:00.1) and Optimist (2:00.1). The lasses which copped the distaffer legs were Space Chalet (2:01.1) and Early Morning.
The Macedonio Pacing Series will continue on consecutive Thursdays through January 19. The series finale is scheduled for January 26.
(With files from Monticello)