Hogies Cam took a hike up in class on Wednesday at Monticello Raceway, but it posed no problem as he held off a late charge from Show Time Sam to win his 20th race of the year.
Once again, Jordan "the Kid" Stratton was at the controls when the Charles Strukel-owned Hogies Cam stopped the timer in 1:56.4.
Now with 20 seasonal victories, Hogies Cam continues to lead all other standardbreds in North America in races won this year. He continues to put more distance between himself and runner-up Batalj Launcher, who has won 15 times.
"I can't believe this guy (Hogies Cam)," said Jordan Stratton after Hogies Cam's victory. "Bo (trainer Bob Beauregard) put him in for $10,000 this time after racing many weeks for a $7,000 tag and even though Billy's (Parker, Jr.) horse (Show Time Sam) looked him in the eye from the top of the stretch to the wire, ole Cam held on to win another. He's tough … real tough!"
Currently with 20 victories at Monticello, Hogies Cam has the Mighty M track record for seasonal triumphs in his sights. That standard currently belongs to another veteran pacer, Golden Storm GB, who won 22 times during the 1985 campaign.
There is little doubt that Strukel made a good claim back on May 5 when he plunked down $5,000 to take Hogies Cam. The investment in the horse has returned seven fold with Hogies Cam's current bankroll at over $40,000.
After Strukel purchased the 10-year-old altered son of Camluck, trainer Beauregard was asked why he chose to claim Hogies Cam.
"I'd been watching him for a while and found out he could get around a half (mile track) without any trouble," Beauregard said at the time. "A few years ago he (Hogies Cam) won in 1:53:2 at Maywood Park – a half mile track – and I'm good with classy old horses and I believe I was right on the mark with him."
Now with just two victories needed to equal the Mighty M track mark of 22 seasonal wins, Beauregard is more confident than ever and boasts, "We'll have the record before September ends."
(Monticello)