Bruce Aldrich, Jr. has always been a good driver even when
he had a big stable, but since he has given up training to concentrate on
driving, he’s moving up and fast.
At Monticello Raceway on the snowy afternoon of Tuesday,
December 17, Aldrich reined six more winners and has moved to
within seven wins of Dave Palone’s 626 driving victories. Palone is
currently second in races won in North America some 48 behind leader Ronnie Wrenn,
Jr. and Aldrich a close third.
After another dazzling display with another six-bagger
today, the Brattleboro, Vt. native now has driven 619 winners
this season, far and away his all time best.
“I’ve been hot lately but I’ve been lucky to be able drive
some live horses and my six wins today follows the six I had when Ronnie
Wrenn (Jr.) and I squared off here last Thursday,” Aldrich said.
“Earlier this year my goal was to win 600 for the year but
to my surprise I passed that number last Wednesday before Ronnie (Wrenn,
Jr.)and I had our drive-off. In the last six days I’ve won 19 races and
that amazes me when I think about it.”
On Tuesday Aldrich began slowly and didn’t win a race until
the sixth when he guided Tyler ($5.70) to a 2:01 triumph. He then won the
seventh with Mixed Media ($4.70) in 2:00.4 and the eight behind Buckeye Baddler
($6.00)in 2:00.1.
He then won the 10th with Upfrontoutthedoor
($9.60) in 2:03.1 and the 11tgh with Machin Music ($3.80) in a 2:00.2 clocking.
He capped the muddy afternoon with a 2:03 triumph behind Dontakeyourguns
($5.60).
His 426 winners leads the driving colony here at Monticello
and at year’s end Aldrich will be a 5-time Mighty M driving champion.
