by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — Bruce Aldrich, Jr. has had much success in the sulky in recent years.

At Monticello Raceway alone, over the first decade of the 21st century, Aldrich won more races here (2,353) than any other driver including perennial champion Zeke Parker (1,944). Currently Aldrich’s winners total 4,283 and that number is increasing constantly.

This year, back home on the familiar turf at the Mighty M, Aldrich has a big command in races won and leads the local colony with 138 winners. But he is also among the driving leaders — currently third — at Saratoga Raceway with 41 wins.

Geri Schwarz photo

Bruce Aldrich, Jr. is having a big season so far in 2013.

Aldrich has called Monticello home for many years, but over the past few seasons he has switched his home base to Saratoga Raceway and even bought a farm near the Spa City.

However, as usual, Monticello opened this season before Saratoga and Aldrich began winning here with regularity so he decided this year he’ll do double duty, and sort of the hard way, racing nearly full time at both Monticello and Saratoga raceways.

And no, the distance between both tracks is not 90 miles like the Monticello-Yonkers connection; it’s more like 165 miles from the Mighty M to Saratoga, and not an easy trip.

“I started the season here at Monticello and got off to a real good start. So when Saratoga opened in March I thought I’d try to race at both tracks since for the most part they race on different days,” Aldrich explained.

“Monticello goes in the afternoons Mondays through Thursdays and Saratoga usually races Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. But there are a few Wednesdays along the way during the springtime, like one yesterday, where the distance between both tracks makes it hard for me.”

Although Aldrich has been on fire all season here, over the past few weeks he’s been winning four and five races on many programs. But yesterday (May 1) wasn’t his day — at least at the Mighty M.

He not only got skunked on the 10 race card, but in a morning qualifying race he was in an accident and was unseated and thrown to the ground.

“I wasn’t hurt bad(ly), but they took me to the local hospital to get checked out and the doctors there OK’d me to drive on the afternoon program,” Aldrich explained. “I didn’t do much good, even had to take myself off the horse in the last race who I won with last time so I’d have enough time to make it to Saratoga.

“Honestly it’s a grueling trip because Saratoga starts at 6:45 p.m. and it’s not all Thruway there from Monticello. But I won three races at Saratoga last night so that made the day worthwhile.”

Presently with 178 seasonal driving victories, Aldrich is tied for seventh in wins — with Tim Tetrick — on the North American leaderboard.