Jimmy Devaux recorded his 5,000 career victory on Monday afternoon at Monticello Raceway. The leading driver at Monticello this year, Devaux currently sits third in the driver standings at Saratoga Casino Hotel. On Thursday afternoon, Devaux piloted his first local winner since reaching the career milestone on Monday. Two year old pacer Hal N Sammy (Yankee Cruiser) parlayed his pocket trip to victory in Thursday’s $6,600 non-winners of one race or $11,000 lifetime pace. The freshman Don Billings trainee had three starts at the Spa coming into the matinee card and in those races recorded a win and a pair of seconds. Faced with the daunting task of squaring off against 1-9 favorite Delightful Joe (Billy Dobson), Hal N Sammy rode the leader’s coattails throughout before popping the pocket around the final turn and getting up to win in a career-best 1:55.2. Devaux, who is currently sixth in North America in wins for a driver in 2017, was recognized in the winner’s circle on Thursday with a sign acknowledging his career achievement.
Live racing continues on Friday night with a first post time set for 6:45pm.
Mike Sardella
Photo: Melissa Simser-Iovino
