Marianna Monaco had no trouble defeating her seven rivals in the $5,000 North American Amateur Drivers Association Trot at Monticello Raceway on a cold and dreary Thursday afternoon (Dec. 10).
In an unusual beginning, Ladys Big Stormont came away slowly and was third at the quarter in :29.1 while Tony Verruso gunned Exarch to the lead from post eight with Someway Same Hall (Tony Ciuffetelli) following closely.
Verruso kept the pedal to the metal and Exarch led by the half in 1:00. Bob Davis was the first to move with Lucky June Bug, and Monaco let him pass on the outside before moving Stealing out to follow second-over.
“I think that was the winning move for me by allowing Bob (Davis) to move first and then following him," Monaco said. “And his horse (Lucky June Bug) was strong to the final turn.”
Exarch still had command as the field headed for home, but Stealing had enough momentum to reel the pacesetter in.
“I thought I was going to be the winner, but Marianna had her trotter in high gear on the far outside and he overtook us in the deep stretch,” Verruso said.
At the wire, Stealing was a solid one-length winner over Exarch in 2:01.1. Someway Same Hall finished third.
It was Monaco's sixth winner this season.
Stealing, who is owned by Darren Rybka and trained by Darren Rybka Jr., paid $24.40 to win.
(NAADA)