After two weeks of drawing unfavourable post positions, Camwood drew post four this week in the $7,700 Open Pace at Monticello Raceway and took no prisoners as he played 'catch me if you can.'
The six-horse contest saw Camwood roar away from the gate with Mickeymaksomespeed (Fredereick Bourgault), last week’s Open winner, in hot pursuit. Camwood and driver Michael Merton made the front end after a hot opening quarter of :26.4, forcing Mickeymaksomespeed to take the two-hole. Approaching the :56.1 halfway point, Villiam (Joe Chindano Jr.) was the first to pull. Camwood continued to motor down the backside to the three-quarters marker in 1:25.1, with Villiam ranging into contention around the final turn but to no avail. Camwood scored a two-length victory in 1:53.4 over Villiam. Epaulette A (Bruce Aldrich Jr.) finished third.
The win was the 11th of the season and eighth in Monticello Opens this year for Camwood, who is trained by Chris Petrelli for owner George P. Dremonas. The win pushed the seven-year-old Woodstock gelding’s seasonal earnings over $48,000.
The day before, Petrelli took the Open Pace for fillies and mares with Chasethecloudsaway. He is in fourth place in the local trainer standings, with 49 winners for the meet.
Merton scored a driving triple on on the card while Cory Stratton had a double.
(With files from Monticello Racewway)