Air Guitar Takes Open

September 17, 2024

The last few years trainer Mark Ford has picked his spots with Air Guitar between the Meadowlands, Monticello and other tracks. This week Air Guitar returned to Monticello after a pair of unsuccessful outings at the Meadowlands.  He started from the rail and was installed the 6/5 morning line favorite, the winner of last week’s Open Pace KJ Hunter scored last week from post 7, this week he drew post 8. When the gate left Ginger Tree Finny (M. Merton) charged out of the gate to make the top, briefly, as Air Guitar popped out of the 2 hole for the lead in a soft opening panel of 29.1. KJ Hunter came first over in the paddock turn, he advanced and was third past the half in a tepid 59.0 with Bettor Roll On A (B. Aldrich Jr) in tow. Positions remained unchanged at the next panel in 1:28.1, down the lane KJ Hunter who was hung for half the race began to tire and bore out, Ginger Tree Finny went up the rail to secure second place with T Dog (J. Devaux) getting up for third in 1:57 – $4.50.  For Air Guitar it was his his second win of the year.

In the finale 23-1 MV OK Palacio BR scored in -98-89nwith Mike Merton at the helm for trainer Rob Harmon, Courtly Gesture shedded his role as a maiden with 2:02.3 score with Kyle Dibenedetto in 2:02.2 for trainer Raymond Knowles.

Mike Merton led all drivers with a pair of scores aboard Sectionlineronnie in 1:56.2 – $100 and with MV OK Palacio BR.