In what was believed to have been an industry first--a race
for 14 year olds on the last day of the year-- back on December 31, 1991, the
final chance the senior citizens would have had to compete that year,
Monticello Raceway presented a race called the “Au Revior” strictly for 14 year
olds which turned out to be a great attraction. That contest was won by a pacer
named Searights who was driven to a 2:04 victory by Kyle DiBenedetto.
“Each year since 1991 we have tried to fill the 14 year old
race but not always were we successful. The hard part is, and
always has been, being able to find enough of those old-timers who are still
racing this late in season,.” said Eric Warner, Monticello Raceway’s Director
of Racing.
“Although the Mighty M didn’t get a field of 14 years olds
together for a race in 2004, they did, however, have a match race
between two outstanding 14-year-olds; $412,000 career winner, The Suleiman
N; and Troy D, a winner of over $372,000.
The two classy old veterans, who had to hang up their racing
shoes the following day, produced a very enjoyable pari-mutuel match trace
which nearly ended in a dead-heat. In that betting event, The Sulieman, driven
by Zeke Parke, turned back Troy D, handled by Todd Frocione, by just a
head in an exciting stretch duel in a mile that was timed in
2:02:4.
On December 29, 2005 Monticello Raceway hosted another race
strictly for 14 year old pacers in which the New Zealand- bred Try Kacy N
emerged victorious for driver Jimmy Taggart, Jr. in a 2:03:4 clocked
mile.
The next Au Revoir was in 2009 when Satin Time N went out a
winner in a 1:59.3 clocking. And on December 30, 2010 14 year old Sinbad
and Jimmy Marohn, Jr. smoked to an easy 1:58.4 victory, which is the
race’s standard.
Again this season Monticello Raceway will try to
present another race strictly for 14 years olds, which, if it
fills, will be raced on Thursday afternoon, December 27th
.
“Actually our last race card during 2012 is on December 31
but we’ll pass on that date since very few participants would appreciate
traveling any distances on New Year’s Eve,” Warner added.
“The race may be open to both trotters and pacers” he
continued.. “In fact in the first AuRevoir Pace the New York State Racing
and Wagering Board allowed that race to go with six pacers and one
trotter and I assume if it comes down to not getting enough pacers again this
year that the Racing Board will let us go with a mixed field again.”
Anyone with a 14 year old standardbred who’d like to have
their horse race one final time before it becomes ineligible can contact
Warner in the racing office by calling 845-794-4100 ext. 557;
or they can contact the track’s publicity office at ext. 455.
