There’s something eerie concerning a final winning time of 1:57.1 at Monticello Raceway, especially when it comes to three-year-old trotting geldings.
A trio of three-year old geldings co-hold the Monticello track record for that category, and one of those three, Ex King, equalled that time again yesterday (October 16) when Dan Daley hustled him to another ‘Mighty M’ victory in 1:57.1.
That record first occurred on June 25, 2007 when Cat Manzi won with Green Day in that identical time. On August 17, 2012, driver Jim Morrill Jr. guided Gaelic And Garlic home first in 1:57.1 to share the record. Ex King and driver Dan Daley matched the standard this year on September 17 when they won a leg of the Excelsior Stakes. Ex King and Daley did it again on October 16.
On Wednesday, Ex King was the odds-on favourite in Monticello’s trotting feature. Daley sent the altered son of Excalibur to the lead early. They duo trotted the first quarter in :29 and they had command at the halfway point (:59.1). Up the backside, Ex King began to open daylight on Famous Dude (driven by Zeke Parker), who settled in the two hole early on. At the three quarters, the lead was two lengths, which was opened to three coming off the final turn. Ex King coasted home a four-length winner over Famous Dude.
When Daley was contacted in the paddock after the race, he said that Ex King was heading to the Harrisburg sale.
“The owners entered him (Ex King) in the Harrisburg Sale and this is his final start before he is to be sold at auction,” Daley said. “I wanted to send him to the sale looking as good as possible, and now his two 1:57 (.1) wins on a half mile track should help elevate his price.”
Trained by Daley for the Bay Pond Racing Stable of Paoli, Pa., Ex King paid $3.30 for win.
(Monticello Raceway)