One dynasty
ends and another continues, Dolores Basilone secured her 2nd
consecutive training title at Monticello Raceway, along the way she set a new
mark with the most wins for a Monticello trainer with 222 trips to the winner’s
circle, the new mark surpassed the former record of 218 wins held by Joe
Minieri. Basilone’s tally of 222 wins including 4 wins off the grounds
vaults her into 6th nationally, her barn earned $754,072 in 948
starts at Monticello Raceway. Gary Messenger was 2nd with 116
wins, followed by Robert Lounsbury was third with 113, Dan Gill, 85 and
rounding out the top 5 was newcomer Jennifer Lappe.
Jim Devaux
also had a career best year as he took home his first ever leading dash winner
title with 301 wins in 1204 starts and ended the year with Monticello earnings
of $986,516. Devaux also notched a milestone when he drove his 5,000
winner earlier this fall. The double driving Devaux also finished 3rd
for the most wins at Saratoga Raceway. Devauxs numbers also warranted
national attention, as he finished 6th place in the nation with 544
wins and earnings of $3,005.547. James Taggart Jr. was second in the
drivers standing with 256 wins and former Monticello Raceway leading dash
winner Bruce Aldrich Jr. was 3rd with 244, followed by Michael
Merton with 200 and Kyle Dibenedetto with 144 and the morning line favorite to
be a future dash winner, Austin Siegelman also had 144 wins to his credit.
