The Heritage Drivers Series began in January and throughout
the year a different ethnic race was presented.
Those who earned a right to participate in the All America
Cup include: Bobby Williams, Jr., Lisa Krom; Alan
Charles, Jimmy Taggart, Jr., Mike Merton, Billy “Zeke” Parker, Jr.,
Mike Forte, and Jimmy Devaux.
In January Bobby “Boonie” Williams, Jr. won the Dr. Martin
Luther King Pace with Mt. Vernon Hanover in a time of 2:01.2 and
he’ll represent those of African-American heritage.
In March Jimmy Taggart, Jr. won the St. Paddy Pace
with Prince Aidid in a time of 2:00 and he’ll be driving for those of
Irish descent.
Alan Charles won “ the Race for the Matzohs”—the Passover
Trot-- on April 11 with Digital Photo in a 2:05.2 clocking and will
represent the Jewish community .
For the second consecutive year Lisa Krom won the Lady
Godiva. This season, on May 14, she was victorious with East Tower in 1:59.4
and she’ll drive for the women in America.
In late July Mike Merton won the Munich Mile and will
represent those of German heritage. His victory came behind Romi Mystic
in a time of 1:58.1.
In August the Godfather Pace was won Mike Forte when he
guided Velvety Smooth to an easy seven-length victory in 1:58.3.
Forte will have the Italian-American community in his corner in the All-America
Cup
Zeke Parker won the Mayflower Mile in late September
with Doc’s Whiskey in a 1:57.2 clocking and he’ll have those of British
descent rooting for him.
In October Jimmy Devaux won the Maple Leaf Mile, a trot this
year , with Gate Keeper of Silk in 2:02.4 and needless to say
that those of Canadian heritage will be cheering for him.
“If any winner of a Heritage Drivers Series
preliminary leg is not able to compete on November 29 then the runner-up in
their event will get first call,” noted Eric Warner, the tracks director
of racing.
Alan Charles is the event’s defending champion
having won the last All-America Cup during the 2010 season after he reined the
winner of the Passover Pace that year. When Charles won the
All-America Cup he reined Daisy’s Shark to a six length victory in a 2:00:1
clocking.
After winning this year’s “Race for the Matzohs”
in April Charles will have a chance to be a repeat winner in the
Heritage Drivers Series Final.
On Monday, November 29th Warner will get a
field of eight horses together for the All America Cup and each driver will be
assigned a horse by a lottery drawing, similar to the way the post positions
are selected.
