by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — Mymomsablizzard trotted to a track record equaling 1:57 mile, winning Monticello Raceway’s Open Trot on Wednesday (Sept. 25) for young Austin Siegelman.

The 7-year-old mare tied the older trotting mare’s standard which was set earlier this year on Aug. 21 by Aren’t I Hanover and driver Billy ”Zeke” Parker, Jr.

Geri Schwarz photo

Mymomsablizzard and Austin Siegelman equaled the track record for older trotting mares with a 1:57 performance.

Coming into the race off a 1:56.4 triumph at Saratoga on Sept. 20, Siegelman sent the daughter of CR Excaliber to the lead from the six hole and they cruised through fractions of :29, :58.4 and 1:27.3 before finishing four lengths ahead of Rompaway Alvin and driver Mike Merton. Banker All took home the show dough for Jimmy Devaux.

“There was no doubt that she was the best in here and she had no trouble defeating these today. She’s a real good one,” the 21-year- old driver said about Mymomsablizzard, a seasonal winner of $108,282 who is owned by Robert Weinstein.

Siegelman also drove the mare when she won at Saratoga and recently has been driving horses for her trainer, Chris Marino, and said that he was real happy to get a chance to drive her again.

“Chris has got some nice horses and I’m really lucky that I am getting to drive for him,” Siegelman said.

But it seems like it is a two way street because Marino is high on Siegelman and is very pleased with the youngster’s driving.

“He’s a nice young man and he was brought up right,” Marino said of Siegelman. “Although he’s young he drives a horse really well. I’m very satisfied with what he has done for me.”

In another drive on the Wednesday card for Marino, Siegelman finished second with Hawk Wild in a race timed in 1:58.2.

The youngster had a driving double on the afternoon when he reined his own veteran trotter Grace N Charlie to a 2:00 victory in yet another race.

Siegelman has been opening eyes here this year with his driving ability. His Mighty M stats of 26 wins, 32 seconds, 18 thirds and a .351 UDR in 143 starts went a long way in helping the Monticello-Goshen Chapter USHWA choose the youngster as their Rising Star Award winner.

Siegelman will be presented that honor when the scribes hold their 55th annual awards banquet at The Fountains in Middletown, N.Y. on Sunday (Nov. 17).