by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — After a horrendous accident early on the card knocked Bruce Aldrich, Jr. and many of Monticello Raceway’s leading drivers out of action, opinions varied greatly about whether or not Tracys Song would keep her 17 race win streak alive when she went to the post in the 12th race on Monday afternoon (June 3).

To the surprise of many, trainer Bob Lounsbury was not one of them.

Geri Schwarz photo

Tracys Song scored in 1:58.2 for her 18th straight win.

He handed the lines to Mighty M newcomer Patrick Beeler and the Michigan transplant aped the moves used by Aldrich and sent Tracys Song to the lead and to yet another wire-to-wire victory, this one in a time of 1:58.2.

Eagle Hilarious was second for Zeke Parker and Samillion Dollars finished third for Kyle DiBenedetto who was a late — due to the earlier accident — driver change.

“She’s awesome,” Beeler shouted in the winner’s circle when asked about Tracys Song.

“I tried to drive her like Bruce and all I can say is that she’s really a great race horse, or should I say race mare,” Beeler laughed.

Beeler sent Tracys Song to the lead and all through the first half he never released the brakes, getting the mare to the quarter in :30 and to the half in 1:00 as announcer Howard Oil screeched, “they’re going at a pedestrian pace.”

From there Beeler put the pedal to the metal and Tracys Song reeled off a :28.3 third stanza and cruised home an easy 1-1/2 length winner.

“When Bob came to me this afternoon and asked if I would like to drive Tracys Song since Bruce was sidelined (because of the accident), I said sure, I’d love to,” Beeler related.

Asked then if he was a little nervous with the 17 wins in a row streak on the line, Beeler smiled and said, “Absolutely not. I wasn’t a bit nervous.”

But Lounsbury’s recollection of that query was a bit different.

“He was nervous as hell and the guys in the paddock were tormenting him, too. But being the good horseman that he is, he drove her just perfect.”

Asked why he picked Beeler to drive Tracys Song at the last minute today, Lounsbury, who always tells it straight, said with a big smile, “I had a beer with Pat the other day and he seemed like a real good guy.”

Tracys Song paid $2.70 and $2.20 and again there was no show betting. The 8-year-old mare is owned by Nancy Furgere of Westbrookville, N.Y.

Still the leader in races won this year in North America, Tracys Song’s next obstacle is the Mighty M mark of 22 season’s victories set in 1985 by Golden Storm GB.