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Germany’s Wim Paal brings authenticity to Monticello’s Munich Mile for drivers of German extraction (Mark Hall/USTA Photo)
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“Among the drivers in our race is Wim Paal, a German horseman who is currently racing some trotters here in the states and when we contacted him he was gracious enough to join our line-up ,”said Eric Warner the track’s director of racing. “He drew SS Derby Girl who has won in 1:58 this year and has been rated 7-2 on the morning line. They’ll leave from the six hole.”
The early line favorite, however, is the number one horse, Stirling Beauty who’ll be driven by William Harmon. The 7-year old mare comes into the contest off two consecutive victories, the fastest in 1:58.3 , both times with Harmon at the controls.
Track odds-maker John Flynn ranks Romi Mystic as second choice on the morning line despite having to start from the seven-hole. Mike Merton will be at the controls behind the mare who has won six times, the fastest a 1:57.3 clocking earlier in the season.
Another with a good chance of winning is Badlands Power who’ll be driven by Peter Kleinhans. Prior to finishing fourth in her last start on a muddy track the Badlands Hanover 7 year old mare had strung together four consecutive victories, the fastest a 1:58.1 clocking on July 16.
And Greg Decker, Jr. off his stunning upset in the Raceway’s Junior Free For All Pace last month, figures to be a factor in the Munich Mile. He has drawn Bet On Lindy whose last start was a wire-to-wire triumph in 1:58.3.
Keith Haase will drive GE’s Jody who was a 1:58.2 winner in her last start. They’ll also get some respect when they leave from the three hole.
The two outsiders in the race are JMdancingshannon and Jamacianme Wild. Cory Stratton will handle the former, a 1:59.4 winner this year, while the meet’s leading driver, Greg Merton, has drawn the latter, a 1:59 seasonal winner, who’ll start from post four.
“By all accounts this year’s Munich Mile appears to be a wide open affair with any one of the eight entrants a possible winner,” Warner added. “Every horse in the race has won multiple times this year and the one that gets the best trip will probably prevail.”
Driving assignments, like post positions were drawn by lot.
The winner of the Munich Mile will join other Heritage Drivers Series winners in a finale dubbed the Al America Cup later this fall.
The Munich Mile is the fourth race on the 13-race program on Monday, July 30th. First post will be at 12:50pm with 1:50pm as the approximate post time for the Munich Mile.
