Konjo N was certainly the best on paper going into the 10th edition of Monticello Raceway’s St Paddy Pace on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, and when the judges hung the official sign, Konjo N lived up to his billing
.
The pacer, who came into the contest off consecutive victories in his last two starts, rambled to another triumph in the race exclusively for drivers of Irish extraction.
Jimmy Marohn was in the sulky behind the 11-year-old New Zealand-bred gelding and they coasted home a one-length winner in a time of 1:59. The clocking marked the fastest winning time in the race since its inception back in 2001. That clocking erased the former mark of 1:59:3, set when Ya Gotta Belief won the St Paddy Pace for Jimmy Marohn, Jr. in 2009.
As the wings of the starting gate folded, Marohn sent Konjo N toward the front from the three hole, but they had company in the presence of Big John B and driver Chris McCracken. With Konjo N along the pylons and Big John B on the limb, the two pacers raced head-to-head past the quarter and were still a locked-up tandem until Big John B tired and faded before the clubhouse turn. And when that happened the only horse with a legitimate shot at Konjo N was Musical Ingot, who was driven by Marohn’s talented son, Jimmy, Jr.
Junior stalked senior up the backstretch and around the final turn and then made a rally in the lane that fell short. Senior and Konjo N strolled home an easy winner over junior and Musical Ingot. Third place went to Hoosier Cougar, driven by Jimmy Taggart, Jr.
Konjo N, a big rangy gelding who is sometimes fractious on the racetrack, was on fairly good behavior in the winner’s circle and at least stood long enough for the blanket and trophy presentations.
“Randy (Castellani, the horse's trainer) told me when we went out for the post parade to keep a watchful eye on him (Kanjo N) because he doesn’t like to turn and he likes to run out the gates,” Marohn said in the winner's circle after his victory. “I’ll tell you he’s (Konjo N) no day at the beach, but in the race he was all business.”
Trained by Castellani for owners John Olshefski and the Castellani Stable, Konjo N was sent off as the odds-on favourite and paid just $3.80 for win.
Besides the aforementioned, other drivers who competed in this year’s St Paddy Pace included John McDermott, Kerin Warner, Laura Mac Namara and Mike Doherty.
The 'Mighty M’s Heritage Drivers Series will continue on April 25 with the 12th annual Passover Pace — the race for the matzos — which will feature the talents of drivers of Jewish heritage.
(Monticello)