The Lady Godiva, which will be the second leg of the track’s
Heritage Drivers Series-2013, will be presented on Valentine’s Day, Thursday,
February 14.
“ Being that the race is on Valentine’s Day, and that all
the horses will be driven by lady drivers, besides a trophy, the winning driver will also receive a big box
of Godiva Chocolates,” noted Shawn Wiles, the raceway’s general manager.
At one time filling a race for the ladies was a tough chore
since most of the gentler sex didn’t drive very often. But things have certainly
changed over the years and there’s a growing number of women who enjoy racing
harness horses..
Some of the most famous women drivers who have competed in
North America are the long-retired Bea Farber; the forever youthful, Jackie
Ingrassia and, of course the Canadian pioneer Mildred Williams.
Although Farber hasn’t driven competitively since 1995 she
still leads the pack with 1801 winners while Ingrassia is the reigning queen
with 1093 driving victories. And Williams, with over 500 wins during the 1950’s
and 1960’s, was instrumental in getting the United States Trotting Association
and the Canadian Trotting Association to license women to drive in
harness races.
Director of Racing Eric Warner has a few women drivers
currently competing at Monticello Raceway among them is the Mighty M’s all-time
leader Betsy Phillips with 550 career victories as well as Lisa Krom, who not only is the defending champion but the
winning driver in the last two Lady Godiva’s.
Other possible participants include former Lady Godiva
champions, Jody Riedel, Jennifer Lappe, Terry Donnelly, and Charlene (Sherry
Urquidez) Cushing; and any lady who has a
“P” or “A” drivers license from the U.S. Trotting Association.
However, unlike Mitt Romney, who recently said that he had “Binders
of Women”, Warner doesn’t have that luxury and he is currently seeking lady
drivers for the upcoming Valentine’s Day event.
In order to participate, or for further information,
interested parties are urged to contact Warner by calling the tracks race
office at 845-794-4100x557; or they can contact the raceways publicity office
at ext. 455.
