Hoosier: International Moni wraps up season with triumph in Carl Erskine Memorial

International Moni, a rallying third in the Breeders Crown, was a game 1:53 winner of the $235,000 Carl Erskine Memorial for 3-year-old colt trotters on Saturday night at Hoosier Park.

Lindy The Great (Mark MacDonald) and Devious Man (Andy Miller) battled side-by-side to the 27 1/5 opening quarter in the race, with International Moni (Scott Zeron), who started from post nine, advancing to their outside and taking the top spot on the way to the 55 2/5 half.

What The Hill (David Miller), who won the Breeders Crown last week off a two-hole trip, ended up first-over from fifth tonight, and his bid stalled before International Moni reached the 1:24 three-quarters.

In the stretch International Moni continued to lead, but Devious Man angled to the outside inside the final eighth. International Moni would not be denied, though, winning by a head. Bill's Man (Corey Callahan), Lindy The Great, and Buckeye Boss (Peter Wrenn) rounded out the top five finishers. What The Hill wound up ninth.

"When the horses come close to him, he always gives what he has," said assistant trainer Domenico Cecere. "When I saw him in front I said, 'it's done.' I know there were good horses on his back, but I was very confident."

Cecere added that International Moni will be given some time off in preparation for his 4-year-old campaign.

International Moni, a colt by Love You, is trained by Frank Antonacci for owner/breeder Moni Maker Stable. The next-to-last foal out of the great Moni Maker, International Moni now has ten wins in his career, and he has now earned $714,412. International Moni was sent off at 6-1, and he returned $15.00 to win.