Although it took longer than anticipated to present the
eight legs of the Mighty M’s Heritage Drivers Series-2013, the sixth edition of
the Maple Leaf Mile will go to post Wednesday afternoon, November 20.
The eighth and final preliminary leg of Monticello Raceway’s
event for drivers of different ethnicities will feature those of Canadian
extraction and the winner of the Maple Leaf Mile will be eligible to participate
in the series finale-the All-America Cup- on Wednesday, December 18.
Last year the Maple Leaf Mile was a trot won by Jimmy Devaux
and the Canadian-owned Gate Keeper in a time of 2:02.4. This year the race is
for pacers.
However, as luck would have it, Devaux has drawn the early
line favorite in the Wednesday contest. He’ll handle Jack and Rose Deluca’s,
JB’s ATM (5-2), from post two.
The Godeffroy, NY resident is a former Monticello Raceway
driving champion and has reined 358 winners this year which ranks him 21st
on the North American leaderboard. Thus far in his career Devaux has recorded
3409 career driving victories.
But it won’t be a cakewalk for Devaux.
Mighty M newcomers, Aaron Byron and Jason Ryan will be
formidable foes. The former will guide Mark and Phyllis Liebowitz’s
Integrity (9-2) from post three while the latter will be up behind Most
Happy Stables’ Whata Rock (5-1) and leave from the five-hole.
Other drivers of Canadian heritage who’ll be in the race
include: Peter Lutman III, Keith Haase, Truman Gale, Jacques Primeau and Mike
Doherty.
Ronnie Wrenn Jr., the leading driver in North America, who
was heralded to be among the drivers in the event, called on Monday and said he
won’t not be able to participate.
The Maple Leaf Mile will be the seventh race on the 13-race
card on Wednesday (November 20). First race post will be at 12:25pm with the
approximate time of the Maple Leaf Mile at 2:05pm.
