In what has become a race that is increasingly hard to fill,
director of racing Eric Warner did however get a field together to continue a
race exclusively for the women.
“We had to reach out for ladies from out of town and to have
enough drivers for the race,” Warner said. “Many will be coming from a long
distance, too, and to them and all the others for that matter, I say a big
thank you for helping us keep this ladies race going.”
Defending champ, and two-time Lady Godiva race winner, Lisa
Krom drew 9-2 rated Sittinthemorninsun and will have to start from
eight hole.
The favorite’s role goes to Jody Riedel another two-time
Lady Godiva winner (2003 & 2006). She’ll handle Lightning Madison (5-2)
from the pole position. Second choice belongs to Dr. Karyn Malinowski who’ll
drive Zoes Turn (3-1) from the six slot.
Previous race winner Charlene “Sherry” Cushing –she won in
2005 as Sherry Urquidez- has been the leading female driver in Maine over the
last years and has recorded 276 lifetime winning drives. She’ll handle 7-2 shot
Winbak Bunny from post position seven.
And Terry Donnelly, who won the second edition of this race
in 2004, has drawn 8-1 rated Tara’s Best and the four hole.
In last year’s Lady Godiva Whitney Goodblood finished
second to Lisa Krom and she’ll be looking for victory when she drives
Mary Lou (8-1) from post two. Local gal, Veronica Merton—sister of Greg and
Mike Merton- has a decent chance to win when she drives 4-1
rated Now It Begins and leaves from the four-hole.
Making her first start in the Lady Godiva will be Monica
Thors. Although Monica hasn’t driven in a few years she decided to join
the fray to help keep the lady driver’s race going.
An outstanding photographer and now a videographer, Thors is
producing and directing a documentary named ‘I Am A Harness Racing
Horse’. She and a crew will come to film the race and interview
some of the drivers before and after the event. Monica has drawn,
Tara’s Best (12-1) and will start from post four.
Both driving assignments and post positions for
the Lady Godiva were drawn by lot. The winner will represent the
gentler sex in the series finale dubbed the All-America Cup.
The Lady Godiva will be the sixth race on the 11-race card
on Monday afternoon , May 13. Approximate post time is 2:30pm.
