Monticello Raceway presented its third annual
All-Amateur Day on September 6 with all the participating drivers on the 10
race card carrying amateur status. But by no means were they novices. And
to say it was a success would be an understatement.
Nineteen of the country’s top amateurs came from far and
wide and convened at the Mighty M just to participate in what was
billed a special “Veterans Day at the Races’. Each participating
amateur driver paid $500 to be part of the day and monies were raised for
the Sullivan County Veteran’s Food Pantry.
Attending fans were asked to donate non-perishable goods and
clothing for the less fortunate and at day’s end a pick-up truck was
needed bring the goods to the Federation for the Homeless, of which the
Veteran’s Food Pantry is a component.
Co-sponsored by the North America Amateur Drivers
Association and Monticello Raceway nearly $10,000 was raised along
with the food and clothing.
It turned out to be a day enjoyed by everyone who shared in
the festivities. Every race presentation was done by an armed forces veteran and
visiting veterans were afforded 50 percent off the dinner in the
casino’s Winners Circle Buffet and over $420,000 was wagered on the 10-race
card on the added race date to just accommodate the all-amateur
program.
“It’s getting bigger each year,” noted Alan Schwartz, a
former Marine Corporal and Vietnam veteran, who is also the president of the
Monticello Harness Horsemen’s Association.
“It has taken a while but officials and racing fans alike
are beginning to realize and understand what amateur racing brings a lot to the
game. Nearly every amateur driver owns horses, employs a trainer, and
continually invests in the sport. And over the years the betting public is
cognizant of their drivers talents and considering the wagering numbers today
most enjoy betting on the amateur races.”
On the 10- race card three different amateur drivers each
won two races. Dein Spriggs, a real estate magnate who traveled infrom Jupiter
Fla. just to participate, scored a seven- length triumph with Beal Hanover in
time of 1:58.1 and he also won with Multiple Cash in 1:58.4.
Dr. Scott Woogen, a gastroenterologist up from Richmond VA.,
also had a driving double. He won with Windsmith Molly in 2:01.1 and with
Paulimony in 1:59, two pacers he co-owns with Brenda Messenger, the wife of his
trainer Gary Messenger.
And Dave Yarock, a financial planner from Tenafly, NJ,
scored two driving victories on the program when he won with his own Bambina’s
Sorella in 1:59.4 and with Game Jocko in 1:58.1.
Spriggs now has 375 career wins, Woogen has 119 amateur
driving victories and Dave Yarock, who entered the amateur ranks in 2008, has
42 wins.
Other amateurs with driving victories that day
included; Steve Oldford, an automotive manufacturer’s rep from Croswell, MI;
Joe Pennacchio, a retired business executive from Delray Beach, Fla.;
Kelly Walker, a nursery owner from Davison, MI; and George
Bonomo, a CEO from greater Chicago,(Naperville) Ill.
Besides the 10 pari-mutuel races fans were
treated to a trotting race under saddle, which is beginning to be more
than just a sideshow in the industry. And that nearly all of the participating
riders are female it adds another dimension to the sport.
That non-wager contest was won by Michelle Crawford when she
rode Vassar Hall to a 2:08.3 victory over John-Michael and Jodie Doherty. Third
place went to Docdor Chaser with Ruth Calcagni aboard.
