When it comes to half-mile track racing the luck of the draw
sometimes is a determining factor. Although that phrase is usually used in
conjunction with the post position draw, in Monticello Raceway’s All
-America Cup, the Final of the Heritage Drivers Series, it takes on a greater
meaning and one that Jimmy Marohn, Jr. benefits from.
Marohn, the winner of the St. Paddy Pace for drivers of
Irish heritage, drew post position six but he also drew Hickory Louie, the hot
favorite in the event which will be the sixth race on the Thursday (Dec.19)
program .
Hickory Louie, from the powerful Bob Lounsbury barn, hasn’t
tasted defeat since October 8th and racing with a $5000 claiming
tag, the pacer fits well in this contest and is certainly the one to beat.
The Mighty M’s Heritage Drivers Series is comprised of
eight races for drivers of different ethnicities and presented at various
intervals throughout the racing season, and not only are post positions drawn
by lot but driving assignments are too, and the luck of the draw has been good
to Marohn.
However, Caiden’s Colt, a 1:58.4 winner in his last start on
December 7 at Batavia Downs, may supply some serious competition and Majo Just
Do it, a 1:53.3 winner at Vernon Downs in early November, could also be a
factor..
Dennis Watson, winner of the Dr. Martin Luther King Pace for
African- American drivers, will pilot Caiden’s Colt and start from post
five while Rock Vinci, winner of the Godfather Pace for Italian Americans, will
handle Majo Just Do It and start from post five.
And Aaron Byron, winner of the Maple Leaf Mile for
drivers of Canadian heritage, could also be in the hunt with Secluded
Island, a 1:58.2 winner in mid-November who’ll leave from the two
hole.
Others in the field include: Atoka Woodstock (#1) with the
Passover Pace winner, Bob Krivelin ; High Mileage (#4) with Munich Mile winner,
Mike Merton ; Five Star Stud (#7) with Mayflower Mile winning driver,
Kyle DiBenedetto; and Clive Hanover (#8) with Veronica Merton, the Lady Godiva
winner.
Post time for the 13-race card will be at 12:25pm. The
All-America Cup will go to post at approximately 2:00PM.
