Real Golden Girl N rambled to a new Monticello Raceway track record for older pacing mares winning the Mares Preferred Pace in 1:54:1 on Tuesday, September 8 with Billy "Zeke" Parker, Jr. at the controls
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The Rob Harmon-trained New Zealand-bred mare departed from post position seven but didn’t clear the lead until the field passed the quarter pole in :28:1. Once on top Parker left Real Golden Girl N ramble and the mare strung together quarter mile times of :29 and 28.3 and finished with a :28.3 final panel to lower the former mark of 1:54:2, which was held by three others; Tactical Rein (Pat Lachane, 2006); Ms Raider (Larry Stalbaum, 2006) and Illusionist (Scott Coulter, 2007).
Winbak Delight, with Mike Micallef in the pilot's seat, who won this race last week, finished second while Impressive Char (Billy Dobson) took home the show dough. In that contest Real Golden Girl N was sent off as the odds-on favourite. However she made a break behind the gate but recovered to finish fifth.
For Real Golden Girl N, who spent most of the season competing at the Meadowlands, it marked her fourth seasonal victory. She’s owned by Chuck Campbell.
In New York-bred late closer action Its Only Roni won the fastest of three $12,700 divisions for the freshman pacing fillies when Jimmy Marohn, Jr. guided the Nobility Ability-Theoneandonlyroni miss to a stunning wire-to-wire triumph in a time of 1:58.
The filly, who sported a 1:57.1 triumph in her last outing and had five wins in nine lifetime starts prior to her victory here, was understandably sent off as the odds-on favourite.
After departing from Post 6, Its Only Roni needed a :28.2 quarter to make the front but once she did it was ballgame. She raced unchallenged throughout the rest of the mile and kicked in a :28.1 final panel en route to her two-length victory over Dandy Do Right and Zeke Parker.
Its Only Roni is trained by Joe Robbins for Francis Feely.
A second $12,7000 NY late closer saw Billy Dobson hustle Kash Delight to the lead at the top of the stretch and then cruise home an easy two length winner over Bond Blue Chip and Jimmy Marohn, Jr.
The victory was the second consecutive victory for the daughter of Bettors Delight-We See Kash, who is trained and leased by Eddie Hart.
In another New York late closer, which went as a non-wagering event prior to the 13-race card, Jordan Stratton and Notoriety Hanover rebuffed all challenges and held on for a head victory over Rock N Amber and Stephane Bouchard.
Notoriety Hanover is a daughter of Artiscape-Noble Desire owned by Tina Raia and Kevin King and trained by Glenn Raia. It was her second win in eight lifetime starts.
(Monticello Raceway)