Monticello, NY --- Harness racing is a bit like professional football as inclement weather doesn’t stop the action. Case in point: Monticello Raceway on the wet and gloomy Tuesday afternoon of Jan. 29.

Despite the race track having to be initially cleared of snow and mud, and then cleared again to keep the piled snow and its melting waters from running out on various parts of the racing surface, the show, although interrupted, still went on.

On that warm day after sub-zero temperatures ensued just a few days prior, the dedicated efforts to keep the show rolling paid off as all 13 races were contested, although the racing program ran about 30 minutes longer than usual.

Geri Schwarz photo

General Maximus N and Jimmy Devaux were easy winners of the Carlspur Series final.

On the card was the final of the Carlspur Series for horses and geldings which saw Jimmy Devaux, with 12-1 shot General Maximus N, sit a pocket trip until the backstretch the second time around and then zoom to the front and cruise home an easy 2:00.1 winner over the even money favorite Joshua’s Jet, handled by Mike Forte. Armbro Chivalry was third for Bruce Aldrich, Jr.

The winner, owned by Jerold Blackman and Bill Kapinos and trained by Kapinos, paid $24.60 for win.

Other notes of interest on that program were the continuing win streaks of both Joe De Fino (the horse) and Scottie C.

Joe De Fino ran his win skein to four in a row after owner, trainer and driver Mike Simons took the lead after a relatively slow first half and when they passed the third stanza Simons put the pedal to the metal and Joe De Fino dashed off to a :28.3 final quarter and scored a three length victory in a 2:00.2 clocking.

Joe De Fino’s victory was worth $5.10 to his mutuel backers.

Scottie C, from the powerful Pete Pellegrino barn and in rein to Greg Merton, made winning look easy as the 7-year-old Matt's Scooter gelding wired the field in 1:56.3 while the pouring rain tightened the racing surface.

Owned by the Baron Racing Stable, Scottie C paid $4.00 for win.

With their victories, Scottie C and Joe De Fino remain undefeated thus far this year.