Scott Kepler Drives Two at Monticello

September 2, 2021

Photo Credit: Geri Schwarz

Monticello, NY – Judge Ken (Scott Kepler) has been driving through NAADA series events. Still, this week’s schedule caused Kepler to opt-in to the open ranks on a rainy afternoon, Wednesday, September 1st, at Monticello Raceway.

The recent purchase Bank Guard (Jim Devaux) started from post position five, dashing first out of the gate with Murray Bassen at the helm. Devaux briefly led the way to the quarter in 28.3 when Judge Ken suddenly pulled to the right line and started the outer flow as the pack approached the halfway point in 58.2. Bank Guard began to fade back, causing a bottleneck which enabled Judge Ken to reach the ¾ marker in 1:27.3. Judge Ken quickly drew away from his opponents by open lengths, cruising home a seven-length winner in 1:58.3. The betting favorite Mighty Surf (Mike Merton) finished second, and last week’s open winner Chip Conway (Jim Taggart Jr.) followed.

Judge Ken, a five-year-old gelding by Justice Hall, is trained by Steven Moore. Scott Kepler of Ridgefield, CT owns Judge Ken. It was the fifth win of the year for the Judge and pushed his seasonal earnings over $20,000.

Joe Chindano Jr. drove two winners. Bruce Aldrich Jr. had three winners on the card, and Murray Bassen had two training wins.

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