Northern Chief equalled the Monticello Raceway track record of 10 consecutive victories on Wednesday
, October 27.
Mike Merton drove the seven-year-old Apaches Fame gelding to a 1:59:3 triumph over the muddy racetrack. Northern Chief’s victory tied him with Hogies Cam (2008) and Mr Thinker (2010), who each won 10 races in a row.
Northern Chief defeated the favoured Dougs Boy (driven by Alan Schwartz) after starting from the eight-hole.
“I moved him (Northern Chief) second-over after the half and went three-deep up the backstretch to get alongside Jimmy (Marohn, who was aboard the pacesetting Texas Treasure), and in the stretch the old guy just cruised home an easy winner,” Merton said. “We tied it (the record) today and hopefully, we’ll break it next week.”
For Northern Chief, who is trained by Gary Messenger for Bob Merton, Jr. and Al Desimone, it marked the pacer's 11th win in 18 seasonal starts.
Sent off as second choice in the race, Northern Chief returned $5.90 on a successful 'win' wager.
(With files from Monticello)