Monticello Raceway’s announcer Howard Oil often cites the phrase 'if you can’t catch’em you can’t beat’em' when calling a horse that has opened a big lead on the field and is heading for victory.
He used that expression again yesterday (March 3) when calling another break-a-way victory by the hottest horse on the grounds, Southbound Trucker.
For the fifth time in just six seasonal starts the six-year-old Sharky Spur gelding led his competition to the finish line in the weekly winners-over pacing feature.
This week trainer Art Stamatien handed the reins to Greg Merton and Southbound Trucker just kept on truckin’ and scored an easy two-length victory in 1:57.1 over the best pacers on the grounds.
“This was the first time I sat behind Southbound Trucker and let me tell you he is at the top of his game right now, said driver Greg Merton. "He’s a pleasure drive and you can drive him with two fingers."
Though not a horse that gets away from the gate quickly, Southbound Trucker is known as a closer, and once he looks his competition in the eyes he usually goes on to score another victory.
After starting from the pole position, Merton had the gelding in third at the quarter pole. Merton was content to stay there until the field headed for the half, at which point he angled Southbound Trucker to the outside. By the time they rounded the clubhouse turn for the second time, Southbound Trucker was on the lead. 'The Trucker' just cruised to another easy triumph from there.
Blueridge DBang, with Billy Parker, Jr. at the controls, tried to follow Southbound Trucker’s moves, but was unable to close any gaps but still had enough in the tank to finish second. Bill Onthehill A took home the show dough for driver Jordan Stratton.
(With files from Monticello)