It was the Bruce Aldrich, Jr. show at Monticello Raceway on
Monday afternoon. But then again it could have been a Bruce Aldrich Jr. show
here many times over the past four years since the talented reinsman has copped
the driving tittle at The Mighty M during that period.
On Monday afternoon (June 23) here Aldrich- again the Mighty
M’s leading driver--reined three winners on the nine race card. However one of
his three driving victories will stand heads and shoulder above all others in
his career. That one was the ride he got behind Road Work Ahead in the third
race. Not that the 1:59:2 clocking was special what really mattered was the
victory itself which turned out to be the 5000th of Aldrich’s
career.
Most impressive about his victory with Road Work Ahead was
that the pacer hadn’t even hit the board in 20 previous starts this year. That
made little matter to Aldrich who wheeled Road Work Ahead out second-over as
they headed to the half and moved steadily toward the front which they reached
prior to the finish when they wore down the pace-setter, NF Wind Chimes (Zeke
Parker and held off other rallies to score a one length victory.
Usually one who expresses his thoughts after a winning drive
Aldrich was especially pensive after reaching his new milestone but did offer
“I’m proud and I’m glad it’s over”, when asked about how he felt .
The horse’s lack of prowess notwithstanding, still Road Word
Ahead paid just $7.10, a neat price for a pacer who was zero for 20 previously.
That triumph perhaps overshadowed Aldrich’s victory with
Diamond Tiara which marked the pacing mare’s 15th seasonal triumph,
and extends her lead in races won this year in North America.. Despite
coming from a new barn (Al Annunziata claimed her for $9000 last week) today
and having a new driver in Aldrich the results remained the same. But her wire
to wire clocking of 1:55.2 was her fastest this year.
After her race was made official, announcer Howard Oil
proclaimed that there was a claim in the race, and you guessed it, Diamond
Tiara claimed back for the same for the same $9000 tag by her previous owner
Philip Schultz, and she was returned to the familiar surroundings of her
previous stall in trainer Mike Watson’s barn. (Watson had been the conditioner
of Diamond Tiara prior to losing her to Annunziata.)
That triumph came just two races before Aldrich won his 5000th
and he was full of accolades about Diamond Tiara.
“She was awesome today,” he blurted. “I never even had to
lift the lines. What a nice mare she is to drive.”
Since most of her victories were on the front-end Aldrich
sent Diamond Tiara to the lead from the pole position and coasted through
fractions of :28.2, :57.4; and 1:26.4 before kicking in a :28.3 final quarter en
route to her 1:55.2 victory which was two lengths ahead of runner-up
Givemybest Hanover and driver Zeke Parker.
Owner –trainer Al Annunziata came to the winners circle for
the photograph and wasn’t surprised that Schultz reclaimed Diamond Tiara. As he
kissed the mare goodbye he turned and said, “I figured this would happen” but
then added philosophically, “I spent $9000 (on claiming her) and got back that
and $2000 extra is just one week.”
