When Mike Merton scored five consecutive driving victories in the first five races on Monticello Raceway's June 28 card of racing, he claimed, with tongue in cheek, that when he got dumped out and fell on his head in an early-morning qualifying race that it must have done something to him when he had his best day in years. On Wednesday, August 1, Merton could claim no such prognostication this time after he again reined five winners on the card.
Merton didn’t score until the fourth race when he guided Tom and Francis Meaney’s My Cool Breeze ($9.30) to 1:59.4 victory. He then won the sixth race with his brother Bobby’s Playa Tulum ($17.40) in a 1:59.2 clocking. After being skunked over the next four races Merton upped and won the final three on the program.
He won the 11th race with Dominick Rafanelli’s I Have It All ($15.40) in 2:01.3 and the 12th race behind Lav Racing Stables’ Ooby Dooby ($8.50) in 1:56.4. He then copped the finale by reining Christine Zigrossi’s I Deal Vic ($7.20) home first in a 2:00.1 clocking.
Having only had a five wins on a card a few times in the 20-plus years that he has been driving, Merton was asked what’s up with two five baggers in a month.
“I got some power now,” Merton said. "I feel good and I’m driving with confidence. I guess it more than falling on my head this time.”
His five driving victories on Wednesday have pushed Merton over the 100-win plateau at Monticello (6th best), but he has also been winning out of town. Thus far this year, Merton has reined 126 winners.
(With files from Monticello)