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Publicerad 1999-09-11
Moni Maker Surges To Another Victory In Classic Series at Freehold
In a trademark display of her amazing speed, versatility and power, Moni Maker survived three turns on the outside to win the $50,000 second leg of the Trotting Classic series Saturday afternoon at Freehold Raceway.
Moni Maker had a good spot on the gate from post two, but was away slowly as first Kick Tail and then B Cor Pete worked their way to the front at the quarter in :28 3-5. Kick Tail jumped it off, however, midway through the first turn, with B Cor Pete assuming command. Magician then took over after the first three-eighths and led the field to the half, in :57. Meanwhile, Moni Maker was shuffled to fifth. Midway between the three-eighths and the half, Wally Hennessey sent Moni Maker up on the outside. That move flushed Goodtimes and Dave Wall into the first over spot, giving Moni Maker a covered trip past the grandstand and down the backstretch.
Magician continued to lead past three-quarters in 1:26 2-5, but Goodtimes was wearing him down with steady pressure. Goodtimes finally went by with about an eighth of a mile to go. But as Goodtimes assumed command, here came Moni Maker off his back. It was clear the spectacular Speedy Crown mare was going to go by once the field straightened for home. The mile was passed in 1:56 and the final time for 1 1/16-mile was 2:03 3-5.
Moni Maker’s margin was a length, with Goodtimes second in a valiant, first-over effort, and B Cor Pete was inside all the way to be third. It was the seventh win of the year for Moni Maker, and the victory sent her lifetime earnings to $3,848,028, putting her only about $400,000 behind the all-time money-leader, Peace Corps.
“The half-mile track is really not her thing,” trainer Jimmy Takter said afterward with relief. “I guess it worked out good that she was wide through the last couple of turns.” Driver Wally Hennessey said the race worked out perfect with the live cover provided by Goodtimes. “She had her head around in the turns and wasn’t really good, but she knows what she is doing, and found a way to win again. I’m never surprised at what she does. It was tough, because I knew she would not be able to leave out of there with them.”
The complete order of finish was as follows: Moni Maker 1, Goodtimes 2, B Cor Pete 3, Turnpike Token 4, T Cody 5, Magician 6, Rama’s Pleasure 7 and Kick Tail 8 after his early miscue.
Moni Maker’s next appearance will be at Mohawk Raceway in Canada on September 25 in the third leg of the Trotting Classic.
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