In the last race on the card Tracy Song cruised to her 13th
consecutive victory in a time of 1:57.2 and with that triumph she continues to
lead North America in races won (13) this season. And for Aldrich, Tracys Song
was one of six winners that he reined on the 11-race program.
Prior to the race the mare’s trainer Bob Lounsbury, said
unequivocally, that Tracys Song would win her 13th consecutive race
on Monday and although it was a bold statement Lounsbury took some ribbing but
in the end he was correct.
“After last week’s easy six -length victory there was
no doubt in my mind that she (Tracys Song) would beat this field (today) from
the pole (position) when she won last week against the same company from the
eight-hole,” as smiling Lounsbury reiterated in the winner’s circle after
the pacing mare notched victory number 13.
“And again she did it easily. Makes me think we now have a
shot at the tracks all time record of 15 wins in a row.
When the race began Aldrich sent Tracys Song to lead
from the pole position and they led the way to the quarter pole
with Get Ready To Rhumba and driver Greg Merton tight on Aldrich’s
back. After the timer flashed :29 Tracys Song and Get Ready To Rhumba
raced one-two until the final turn when Tracys Song began to draw away and she
cruised to a three- length triumph. Temptation Queen was third for
Zeke Parker.
In the winners circle, and even before that, when Aldrich
and Tracys Song were heading for the finish line, Aldrich
knew it was all over and he‘ hot-dogged’ a bit; first waving to the crowd, and
then giving a thumbs up as Tracys Song paced to victory.
“I hardly ever do anything like that but I was just so happy
today,” Aldrich said referring to waving to the camera. “You know, how many
times does a guy drive six winners on a card and get to drive a horse to
her 13th win in a row. And that Tracys Song leads the nation (
actually North America) in wins this year makes it even more extra special.”
Owned by Nancy Fugere of Westbrookville, NY and
trained by Bob Lounsbury , Tracy’s Song paid $2.30 for win.
With each win the 8 year old Astreos mare adds to her record
of most consecutive victories by a mare at Monticello. She now needs only two
more wins to equal the all-time track record of 15 in-a-row set by Northern
Chief and driver Mike Merton back in 2010.
Tracys Song was last of six winners Bruce
Aldrich, Jr. drove that afternoon. He won the second with NF Beach
Candy ($27.80), another Lounsbury pupil in 1:59, and then won the sixth
with Red Eyed Blue Chip ($2.70) in1:57.4 for that mare’s fourth win-in-a-row.
Aldrich capped the day winning the last four races on the
card. One was with another Lounsbury- trained pacer Jinni’s Fantasy N ($14.80)
in 1:58.4.
