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Tuesday, April 23, 2013

MR - TRACYS SONG SCORES 13TH CONSECUTIVE VICTORY—LEADS NORTH AMERICA IN WINS

Monday, April 22nd  at Monticello Raceway was a big day for both Tracys Song and driver Bruce Aldrich, Jr. .

In the last race on the card Tracy Song cruised to her 13th consecutive victory in a time of 1:57.2 and with that triumph she continues to lead North America in races won (13) this season. And for Aldrich, Tracys Song was one of six winners that he reined on the 11-race program.

Prior to the race the mare’s trainer Bob Lounsbury, said unequivocally, that Tracys Song would win her 13th consecutive race on Monday and although it was a bold statement Lounsbury took some ribbing but in the end he was correct.

“After  last week’s easy six -length victory there was no doubt in my mind that she (Tracys Song) would beat this field (today) from the pole (position) when she won last week against the same company from the eight-hole,” as smiling Lounsbury reiterated in the winner’s circle after  the pacing mare notched victory number 13.

“And again she did it easily. Makes me think we now have a shot at the tracks all time record of 15 wins in a row.

When the race began  Aldrich sent Tracys Song to lead from the pole position and they led  the way to the quarter pole  with  Get Ready To Rhumba and  driver Greg Merton tight on Aldrich’s back. After the timer flashed :29 Tracys Song  and Get Ready To Rhumba raced one-two until the final turn when Tracys Song began to draw away and she cruised  to a three- length triumph. Temptation Queen  was third for Zeke Parker.

In the winners circle, and even before that, when Aldrich and Tracys Song were heading for  the  finish line,  Aldrich knew it was all over and he‘ hot-dogged’ a bit; first waving to the crowd, and then giving a thumbs up as Tracys Song paced to victory.

“I hardly ever do anything like that but I was just so happy today,” Aldrich said referring to waving to the camera. “You know, how many times does a guy drive six winners on a card and get  to drive a horse to her 13th win in a row.  And that Tracys Song leads the nation ( actually North America) in wins this year makes it even more extra special.”

Owned by Nancy Fugere of Westbrookville, NY  and trained by Bob Lounsbury , Tracy’s Song paid $2.30 for win.

With each win the 8 year old Astreos mare adds to her record of most consecutive victories by a mare at Monticello. She now needs only two more wins to equal the all-time track record of 15 in-a-row set by Northern Chief and driver Mike Merton back in 2010.

Tracys Song was  last of six winners  Bruce Aldrich, Jr. drove that afternoon.  He  won the second with NF Beach Candy ($27.80), another  Lounsbury pupil in 1:59, and then won the sixth with Red Eyed Blue Chip ($2.70) in1:57.4 for that mare’s fourth win-in-a-row.

Aldrich capped the day winning the last four races on the card. One was with another Lounsbury- trained pacer Jinni’s Fantasy N ($14.80) in 1:58.4.