It seems that nearly every year young talent passes through
Monticello Raceway. Of course many racetracks can make that claim but
since its inception the Mighty M has been a stepping stone into the
metropolitan New York-area racetracks.
In recent years, Jordan Stratton, dazzled’em in
Monticello when he became the youngest driver ever to win a dash
title and now is among the leaders at the Hilltop oval. And Jimmy Marohn,
Jr. the Mighty M’s leading driver last season, showed his mettle when
beat all the ‘big boys’ in a driving championship at Vernon and Tioga
Downs. And for young Jimmy the move to the ‘big time’ won’t be far away.
Furthermore, Bruce Aldrich, Jr., who won more races here in
the first decade of the 21st Century than any other reinsman is
driving this season at both Monticello and Saratoga Raceways and
he’s having a banner year; currently with 453 wins which ranks him fifth in
North America.
Now, newcomer Jason Ryan is starting off like
gangbusters. On the Tuesday card of October 8th the 25- year-
old Canadian driver won three races on the card and he has opened the
railbird’s eyes with his talent.
Since coming here a few weeks ago, after 21 starts Ryan has
had nine wins, one second and two thirds for UDR over .500.
He won the second race Tuesday when he guided Anthony
Artuso’s, Threestepstoheaven ($3.60), to a 1:56.4 triumph and then won the
fourth with Allard Racing and Yves Sarrazin’s behind UFDragons Rocket($3.30)
also in a time of 1:56.4.
His third driving victory came in the weekly pacing feature
when he got Anatolia Racing and Allard Racing’s Big Bay Point ($3.50)
home first in a 1:54.4 clocking.
Last week Ryan claimed Haroun Hanover, the 20-time winner
this year and the pacer made his first start from a new barn and
after cutting the mile he faded and fished second to M D Bee Bee in
1:56.2, the horse that Zeke Parker won his 11,039thrace with made
him the sixth winningest driver all time in North America .
After his hat trick Ryan was asked what are his current
plans? “ I’m doing good here and I plan on staying all winter,” he
told the publicity department..
