by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — Strong Bow isn’t a world class trotter although the veteran 11-year-old gelding has amassed more than $295,000 in his career. Now in his 10th season of racing the altered son of Striking Sahbra has won a race in each of those years and was once an Open trotter at the Mighty M.

Now he has been relegated to the claiming ranks and has been racing with a tag for the past four years with much success for his current owners, Manny and Mary Fajardo and Helen Licitra.

Geri Schwarz photo

Strongbow was a 2:01 winner on Monday at Monticello.

On Monday (Sept. 9), despite starting from the seven hole, the front running trotter again sailed to victory in a time of 2:01 to score his 11th triumph of the season and the 56th of his career. His fastest win this year was in 2:00 just three weeks ago.

Jimmy Taggart, Jr. again handled the driving chores and has been the horse’s pilot for the past three years.

To go along with his 11 wins In 28 seasonal starts, Strong Bow also has recorded eight seconds and four thirds and is on his way to being cited again as a Claiming Trotter of the Year here, which will make his third consecutive season with that accolade.

Oddly, or perhaps not, Strong Bow isn’t from a top barn here at the Mighty M. His hard working and dedicated trainer Terry Beck only handles a few horses.

“With only a couple of horses I can give them special attention and he (Strong Bow) needs work to keep him going,” said the 63-year-old trainer who never has been a driver.

“I’ve been around the horses most of my life and I love every minute with them. And I’m proud of the way Strong Bow has raced for us. Why he’s made almost $95,000 over the past three seasons and that’s saying a lot here at Monticello. We don’t race for world class purses, you know.”

Beck also trains a pacer by the name of Badlands And Art who is owned by Beck’s wife Sharon. A former classy pacer who has amassed more than $310,000 in his career, Badlands And Art now competes with a $4,000 tag. And still, with more than $10,000 on his card with five wins, the fastest in 1:56.4, he also has been fairly successful for Beck.

“I love having an older horse, trotter or pacer, who had class when they were young, because with constant attention and care they can be useful, especially for small time guys like me,” Beck added.