Monica Thors will take time from working on her production
of her harness racing documentary “I am a Harness Racing Horse’, to don her colors
again after a short hiatus.
Her documentary, which Monica produces and
directs, takes an up-close, behind-the-scenes look at the care, training,
versatility and history of the harness racing horse.
“I haven’t driven in a few years but I will join the ladies
who will be racing in the Lady Godiva,” Ms. Thors said. “I think it is
important that races for women drivers continue.”
Former two time Lady Godiva driving champion, Jody Riedel
(2003 & 2006), has consented to rejoin the race again this year.
In recent seasons Ms. Riedel has mostly been training
and racing her own stock and has been very successful while putting her driving
skills on the back burner.
“I’d read where they (Monticello Raceway) needed
drivers to fill their race so I called and told them I’ll
drive in it again this year,” Ms. Riedel said.
Also consenting to drive in the Lady Godiva and coming
all the way from the state of Maine will be Sherry Cushing, the top female
driver on Maine circuit for the past few years.
Cushing —then Sherry Urquidez- won the 2005 edition of the
Lady Godiva and during her days here she also was one of the best
outriders ever at Monticello Raceway, and for that matter, in all of
harness racing .
An excellent horse woman, Sherry’s abilities were and
are, also on display whenever she’s in a sulky. Since she’s moved to
Maine she has accumulated 276 driving victories and has won annual awards
as the top female driver in the Pine Tree State.
“It’s a long way to go to drive a horse but I can
renew old acquaintances while I’m there in Monticello,” said Ms Cushing,
who’ll be starting college soon to become a nurse.
Thors, Riedel, and Cushing will be joined in the Lady Godiva
by Whitney Goodblood, Terry Donnelly, Veronica Merton Karyn Malinowski and
defending champion, Lisa Krom.
The Lady Godiva Pace will be the fourth leg on the Mighty
M’s Heritage Drivers Series-2013. The winner of the race will represent
the gentle sex in the series finale, dubbed the All-America Cup, later this
fall.
