Lacarmeliliana Prevails in Open
May 26, 2021
By: Shawn Wiles
Photo Credit: Geri Schwarz
After finishing second 2 starts in a row, the third time was the charm, as Lacarmelilana scored in the $6,7000 Open Pace at Monticello Raceway on Tuesday May 25.
Chantepleure and American Island were the first to leave the gate, American Island got to the lead first before the quarter in 27.3, Masterson was the first to pull before the half in 56:3, followed by Lacarmeliliana (PP5). American Island continued to set the pace past the ¾ in 1:25.4, at this point John Desimone Jr. had Lacarmelilana in full gear and collared American Island down the lane to score in 1:55 – $12.80, LQ in 28.4. Finishing second was Masterson (Brandon Parker) and American Island was 3rd (Mike Merton)
It was the 8th win of the season for the 8-year-old daughter of Ashlee’s Big Guy for owner Ameer Najor of West Bloomfield MI, she is trained by Veronica Merton and was driven to victory by John Desimone Jr.
Also on the card, Captain Nemo, a $400,000 yearling, who sold as yearling under the name of Honorat Hanover, made his first start at 4 a winning effort, winning by ¾ length over Georgie in 1:56.2 with Jim Taggart Jr. in the bike. At 2 Captain Nemo raced against the best pacers in the land, finishing second 3 times to last year’s Horse of the Year Captain Midnight in Canada, the son of Captaintreacherous only raced 3 times at 3. Local horseman Frank Yanoti purchased him at the Meadowlands Mixed sale conducted this winter at the Meadowlands for $26,000.
Bella The Ball blew up the tote board in the last race of the card and pulled off a 47-1 shocker in 1:57.1 and returned $96.50 for a $2.00 win ticket for the winning team of owners Bruce Aldrich Jr. and Laura Perrino. Jimmy Taggart Jr. drove 3 winners on the afternoon
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