Tuesday, December 23 Recap

December 23, 2025

This afternoons card, December 23 was a 12-race program, which offered a guarantee $10,000 Pick Five that was well received by patrons. The first 2 races of the day were under snowy conditions, but as the weatherman predicted, the snow subsided shortly after Post Time.

The Merton clan, owned the card, with a Merton taking 4 thorough 11, Second place leading driver Greg Merton drove 5 winners on the card, Mike had a double and Tom Merton had 1 winner. Jim Devaux took the first and last race.

JM’S Delight took the Open 1 after a pocket-sitting journey behind the pacesetter Idealsomemagic A in 1:56.2 – $15.44 for Owner – Trainer & Driver Greg Merton. Finishing second was Idealsomemagic A (C. Stratton) followed by Better be Gouda (M. Merton)

The Open 2 saw Seth Hanover (M. Merton) go wire to wire in 1:57.3 – $2.78 for trainer McKenzie Sowers for his 5^th win on the year, Cigar Smoking Joe (R. Cushing) was second

Divine Cosmo earned his eighth seasonal win this afternoon for trainer Peter Pellegrino, the 4-year-old son of Lazarus N is owned by Jay Appelblatt of Brooklyn, NY. Melissa Appleblatt was looking down with Divine intervention to push Divine Cosmos across the wire in a Calvary charge finish with 3 horses at the wire in a tight photo.

Harambe Deo (M. Merton) made it 3 in a row for trainer Amanda Fine in 1:57.2, Trainer Pete Pellegrino and leading trainer Monica Eriksen each had training doubles.