Home’N Dry Scores in Wet Open Trot

March 28, 2024

The past performances show that When Home’N Dry cuts the mile, chances are he will be in the winner’s circle, this afternoon was no different. The betting public made him the co-favorite, scoring from post 3 with Bruce Aldrich Jr. at the helm. Pivotal caused 2 recalls for failure to come to the gate and was a Judges scratch, reducing the 7-horse field to 6. Home’N Dry was the first to the front end and dictated the tempo with splits of 28.3, 59.2. Before the half, Greg Merton driving the betting favorite Double Dealing started the outer tier with the winners of last week’s open Trot Chip Chip Conway in tow with Consus Victory (K. Dibenedetto) still in the garden spot. Home’N Dry continued to show the way to the next station in 1:28.4.  As they fanned out in the lane Consus Victory came off the rail and took a shot at the leader but came up half a length short in 1:59 – $5.40, the Steve Ray trained Win and Dream (Paguet Jr.) came through the rail and finished third.

With the racing season approaching the quarter pole, Michael Merton leads all drivers with 63 wins, Jim Taggart is second with 51 wins, and Greg Merton third with 50. On the training side Gary Messenger and Danny Gill are tied with 24 wins, and last year’s Leading Trainer Laura Aldrich with 23 wins.

Mike Merton had a pair of winning drives and the tandem of Jim Taggart Jr. and Gary Messenger had 2 winners.  Woodside Emileah and Backster each now have a 2-race win streak going.

Monticello favorite, Chuck Poynton notched a driving win aboard the Maria Rice trained Giveitatry A in 1:54.4 – $9.90, for the fastest mile of the day.