Mr. Contestant Wins Open Trot

August 7, 2024

This afternoons trend saw the front end speed held up for the many favorites, with 5 of them favorite scoring by multiple lengths, and 4 horses extending their win streaks.

The Open Trot saw Bully Boy made a break before the start and took himself out of contention, Rosie’s War Bonds made Global Cyclone work for the lead, once on top he set moderate fractions after a brisk opening panel of 27.4 – 57. Patrick Hanover was the first to pull after the half with Mr. Contestant in tow, down the back side Mr. Contestant was 3 deep to take the lead as they hit the next station in 1:27.3, once on top Mr. Contestant – Greg Merton widened the lead with every step, he was ahead by 6 turning for home and broadened the lead by 10 to score in 1:57.1 -$6.10 with the 71/1 Kasha’s Boy (A. Schwartz) getting up for second followed by Rosies’s War Bonds. Mr. Contestant earned his sixth seasonal win for trainer Peter Pellegrino

The 1/9 favorite Stick With Me Kid won his fifth straight with Andrew Adamczyk in the bike for trainer Nick Devita in a 10 length romp in the North American Amateur Drivers Association event in 1:59 – $2.10. In addition to the driving win, Adam had a pair of training wins on the card

Bruce & Laura Aldrich teamed up for a duce with Gino Sniper 1:58.2 -$4.40 and Home N Dry 1:59.4. American Bang made it 3 in a row for trainer Jean Drolet, the 3 YO American Ideal filly was driven by Mike Merton. Modern Rock 1:56.3 – $2.60 (Kyle Dibenedetto) extended his winning streak to 4 for trainer Jim Doherty Jr. – Greg Merton had a driving triple, with 2 of the wins coming from Peter Pellegrino mounts.