Since its inception in 1991 Monticello Raceway’s Au Revoir
has been a very interesting event and last year it took on greater proportions
when the race was featured on the front page of the New York Times sports
section in late December. And the newspaper even ran all follow-up story of the
results .
The Au Revoir is limited to 14 year olds on the last, or
next to last, day of the year and it’s the final call to post for the entrants
because when they turn 15 on January 1st –and all horses get
one year older each January 1st --they are no longer eligible to
compete in purse races.
Because there are just a very limited amount of 14-year-olds
still racing late in their final year of competition the race doesn’t always
attract enough horses to be presented.
“We are asked from time to time why don’t you include 12 and
13 year olds but it wouldn’t be the same race. And that it doesn’t always fill
(get enough entries) makes it that much more special,” noted Eric Warner,
Monticello’s director of racing.
In the 22 years since its inaugural only six Au Revoir’s
have been presented although the race has filled three times in the last four
years.
This year’s Au Revoir is slated for Monday, December
30 and although the the Mighty M will present its final program of the year on
the afternoon of December 31.
“For the race to fill available horses must travel quite a
distance just to participate and how could we ask anyone to come to the
race and then travel home on New Year’s Eve,” Warner said.
Initially he had considerable interest from owners of
four pacers but just last week one called and said his old-timer sored-up and
they were going to retire him.
Without the one who dropped out Warner’s positive responses
are from the owners of Run Tim Run, How Forever Feels, and Copper
Canyon. However, he says there are possibilities of getting a few more
who might want to race. Among them are Anvil Raider N who has been
competing in the mid-west and is the winner of 21 races this year and the
incredible Forest Vic A who is racing at Yonkers Raceway and has as
seasonal mark of 1:52.3 and has won nearly $80,000 this year.
“Since he’s racing so successfully at Yonkers Forest Vic (A)
will probably keep racing there but I’m sure there are others of lesser caliber
who may want to race in our Au Revoir and if we can get six entries we’ll go
with it,” Warner added.
Anyone wanting more information about the Au Revoir,
or perhaps to make an entry, can do so by calling Warner in the racing office
at 845-794-4100x557; or they can call the tracks publicity office at extension
455.
