The Kentucky Derby has its “Run for the Roses”; the
Preakness runs for the Black-Eyed Susans; and on Tuesday afternoon, April 21
Monticello Raceway will have its annual “Race for the Matzohs” when the
Catskill Mountains oval presents its 16th edition of the Passover
Pace, a race strictly for drivers of Jewish heritage.
The event will be part of the tracks year-long Heritage
Drivers Series which will be followed later this season by other races for
different ethnicities.
Last year, Bobby Krivelin won the event with Isn’t She
Lovely in a time of 2:04.1 and it marked the second time in the last three
years that Krivelin has been victorious in the Race for The Matzohs.
Despite having won again last year still Krivelin trails
both Mike Kimelman (1999-2003-2007) and Alan Schwartz (2002-2004-2006) each of
whom have won the Passover Pace three times.
Alan Charles, who’s expected to be among the drivers in this
year’s race, joins Krivelin as a two- time winner (2012-2010) of the Passover
Pace
Other recent previous winners include, PJ Lutman III (2009)
and Bob Hechkoff (2008).
The fastest of all the Passover Paces was a 1:59 mile when
Jack Rice won the event with Wildfire King in 2001.
“This race may be a little unusual but believe it or not
those who compete annually in our Passover Pace have been calling to make sure
that we are doing it again this year,” said Mighty M general manager, Shawn
Wiles.
The Passover Pace is open to any licensed harness driver of
Jewish heritage who holds a full (A) or a provisional (P) license from the
United States Trotting Association.
Director of Racing, Eric Warner, is currently seeking
drivers who are interested in participating in this year’s contest. For further
information, or to enter the event, please contact Warner in the racing office
at 845-794-4100 x 557; or call the tracks publicity office at extension 455.
