With some of the tracks in the Northeast closing for the season, this week’s Open Pace at Monticello Raceway had an influx of new blood as three top three finishers made their first start in the $7,700 feature on Tuesday, Nov. 9.
The seven-horse field saw Motive Hanover, one of the newcomers, roar away from the gate first to quickly grab the lead, ticking off fractions of :29, :58.4. Approaching the half, Cory Stratton pulled the favourite, Nui Ba Den N, to begin his chase. Greg Merton, aboard Motive Hanover, tapped the gas pedal to have a two-length advantage passing the three-quarter marker in 1:27.3. He kept the margin of two length at the wire in 1:55.3.
The well-travelled son of Well Said is trained by Mark Ford and is owned by George and Rose Bonomo of Naperville, Illinois. Motive Hanover notched his seventh win of the season from 33 starts and pushed his seasonal earnings to nearly $50,000.
Niall Hanover (Bruce Aldrich Jr.) finished second, followed by Little Ben (Brandon Parker).
Brandon Parker had a driving triple, and the red-hot Cory Stratton had a driving double following his triple from the previous day.
(With files from Monticello Raceway)