KJ Leo benefited from a pocket trip to defeat favourite Camwood in the $7,700 Open Pace at Monticello Raceway on Tuesday, Oct. 5.
The seven-horse field had two lead changes before the quarter-mile mark and another one after that. Camwood, driven by Mike Merton, finally cleared past the quarter in :27.3 and continued to set the pace of :56.3 and 1:26.1. Jim Taggart Jr. was in perfect position at the head of the stretch with KJ Leo behind pacesetter Camwood. Taggart chose to go to the outside rather than using the passing lane to defeat a gritty Camwood by one length in 1:54.3. The 5-1 third choice paid $12.80 to win. Barnabas (Brandon Parker) finished third.
The win was the sixth of the year from 23 starts for KJ Leo, a five-year-old homebred son of Art Major trained by Gary Messenger and owned by Brenda Messenger, Philip Shapiro and Scott Woogen.
Gary Messenger is the second-leading trainer in the Monticello ranks with 69 wins this year, trailing leader Bo Sowers, who has sent out 82 winners from his stable.
(With files from Monticello Raceway)