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Saturday, December 28, 2019

Lucky Man wins Au Revior Pace

By Shawn Wiles

Monticello NY – On Friday December 27, at Monticello Raceway on a track listed as good, a field of 5 pacers lined up behind the starting gate for the last time in their career in the Au Revior $5,000 Invitational Pace. For almost a decade and a half, these 5 equine iron geldings have been behind the starting gate almost 1600 times in their combined careers.

When the gate left, the betting favorite  FLEM N EM N starting from post position. 5 and driver Jim DeVaux were first away followed by Lucky Man right along side, DeVaux worked his mount hard to get the front keeping Lucky Man at bay, they zipped the opening quarter in 27.3, Lappe and Lucky Man were parked and had no choice and was forced to tuck in the 3 hole well past the paddock turn. The Saratoga invader FLEM N EM M took the field to the half in 57.3, at this point Lappe pulled the right line for the last time and started the outer flow and was first over and bid his time as the leader FLEM N EM N  hit the the ¾ in 1:27.3, with Lucky Man parked on the outside, in the paddock turn Lucky Man Urged on by Lappe exploded in a matter of strides and had an instant 3 lengths on the field at the head of the stretch.

The usually reserve Lappe savored the moment and pumped her arm in the air before the wire, reminiscent of the Stanley Dancer moment with Duenna in the Hambletonian, the duo hit the wire in 1:57.2 drawing off by 5 lengths, pacing their last quarter in 29.4,  FLEM N EM N finished second Lightning Raider N third, the winner paid a $6.40 for win. It was his 9th win of the season and has banked over $32,000, Christopher Bliss was a late scratch.

Lucky Man’s career stats and overall body of work is impressive, the $90,000 Camluck yearling purchase amassed lifetime earning of $1.2 million with a lifetime mark of 1:49.1 as a 5 year old at Mohawk Raceway with 60 career wins,  he is co owned by Trainer-Driver Jennifer Lappe and Patrick Laiso.

After the winner circle presentation, and emotional Lappe paid homage to her stead and unhooked the sulky and walked the gutsy campaigner Lucky Man back to the paddock for the last time to enjoy the moment amid the spattering of claps for the classy duo from those admirers on the racing apron that braved the elements to bid him farewell.


Cool him out good, this last time.