Driver Greg Merton, trainer Amanda Kelley and the Scheigert Stable proved to be a potent combination at Plainridge Park on Monday afternoon as they scored wins in the top two pacing features of the day.
The Saratoga-based connections sent out Lake Charles ($8.00) from post one in the $25,000 Open Handicap pace and tripped-out behind the red hot Duplicated N (Bruce Ranger) who left from post nine in :25.4. After levelling off the pace in a :55.1 half, Duplicated N took pressure from Sports Obsession (Drew Monti) who came first-over and pushed a :27.3 third panel.
That battle lasted until the top of the stretch where Sports Obsession faded and Lake Charles popped the deuce. Under Merton’s guidance, Lake Charles paced by Duplicated N and then held off late charges from Ocean Colony (Drew Campbell) and Mansome (Kevin Switzer, Jr.) to win by one-quarter of a length in a season’s best 1:51.4.