by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — Just four weeks ago Monica Banca received her provisional license and the Norwegian native has shown she has a talent in the sulky.

Indescribable coasted to a 1-1/4 length victory in a 1:58 clocking.

Not only did she win the final of the Catskill Amateur Driver’s Club’s Pacing Series on Wednesday (June 26) at Monticello Raceway, but in five trips to the post in betting races she has won four times. And her last three drives here were all winning ones.

In Wednesday’s fourth race here Banca had the favorite, Indescribable from the pole position, and she drove the veteran gelding like he was the best.

She sent her pacer to the lead and they reached the first stanza in :28.4. Despite a first-up move nearing the half by Tom Riddle and driver Steve Oldford, Banca sat calm in the sulky, occasionally glancing at her challenger.

Up the backside a battle ensued and the two pacers were neck and neck to the third stanza. As they headed for home, Indescribable drew off by a length and coasted to a 1-1/4 length victory in a 1:58 clocking over Tom Riddle. Third place, two lengths behind the winner, was B B Smash with Matt Zucccarello at the controls.

When Banca returned to the winner’s circle with her pacer the first thing she said was, “He’s awesome,” referring to Indescribable. “I didn’t think we’d win it at the top of the stretch but he’s a classy old horse and I learn a lot when I drive him.”

Banca also won the last CADC preliminary on June 19 with Indescribable in 1:58.3, using the passing lane to victory that time.

Geri Schwarz photos

Monticello’s John Manzi presents a plaque to Monica Banca in the winner’s circle after her triumph.

“I was a little nervous today because Rick (Dane, Jr., her partner and mentor) had to go to Pocono (Downs) and I was all alone with the horse before the race. But I’m not nervous now; I’m happy,” she said as she was being presented the trophy for winning the series finale.

Indescribable won for the fourth time in 16 starts. The 6-year-old Cole Muffler gelding is owned by Dane and Banca and trained by Dane. He returned a $4.30 win mutuel.

Also of note on the on the June 26 card was the impressive 2:00.2 victory in his first lifetime start by HD’s Dream Boy, a 2-year-old pacing colt by If I Can Dream out of My Gal Hall by Cambest.

Trainer Sean Campbell had Pat Beeler again handle the driving chores (Beeler qualified him in 2:05.3 on June 19) behind HD’s Dream Boy and Beeler zipped the colt to the front and he paced every quarter in around 30 seconds (:29.3, :30.3, :30.2, :29.4) and finished with an easy 2-1/2 length triumph over Princess Cantilena and Bruce Aldrich, Jr.

“This is some nice colt,” Beeler exclaimed after the victory. “He’s just now learning his lessons and he’s got a great way of going. He’s gonna beat a lot of them before it’s all over.”

HD’s Dream Boy is owned by Daniel Meier of Fort Covington, N.Y. He paid $5.50 for win.