by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — Jimmy Taggart, Jr. gunned Prince Aidid away from the gate from the six hole and worked out a picture-perfect two-hole journey en route to a 2:00 victory in the 11th edition of the St. Paddy Pace at Monticello Raceway on Thursday (March 15).

Besides scoring his initial triumph in the event, which features drivers of Irish heritage, Taggart also celebrated his 42nd birthday that day.

Jimmy Taggart, Jr. rushed Prince Aidid to victory down the lightning lane.

When the wings of the mobile starting gate folded, Taggart hustled Prince Aidid toward the lead but they were out-footed by Flanagan Storm and driver Rick Harp, who left from the two hole. Taggart then took advantage of a big gap behind the leader and settled his pacer in tight behind Harp’s charge. They raced one-two past the quarter in :28.4 and the order remained the same as the field chugged by the half in :59.1.

At that point Jimmy Marohn, Jr. moved the favorite, JK Hooty, out to challenge, but wisely Taggart stayed in his position. As the tight field rushed past the three-quarters it appeared that Taggart was going to get locked-in behind a tiring leader. But on the final turn no one was making up any ground which allowed Taggart to stay in contention and then take advantage of the lightning lane, which he did, and then hustled Prince Aidid to the wire where they finished a length winner over Cards N Music, handled by Sean McAleese. Third place went to JK Hooty in a photo. Flanagan Storm ended up fourth.

When asked if he had planned to race his pacer the way he did Taggart smiled and said, “No. I was trying to go to the front but Rick’s (Harp) horse (Flanagan Storm) was stronger so I took advantage of the two-hole that opened and ended up with a great trip. But if Rick’s horse would have stopped I would have been shuffled back and out of it. Sometimes luck plays a part.”

Geri Schwarz photos

Shawn Wiles holds the horse as Dorothy Higgins presents the Bailey’s Irish Cream to Jimmy Taggart, Jr.

Besides a blanket for the horse and a trophy for the owners, Taggart received a bottle of Bailey’s Irish Cream in the winner’s circle ceremony to which he responded, with tongue in cheek, “Can I drink this now?”

“No, no,” shouted track General Manager Shawn Wiles, who held the horse for the blanket presentation. “No Jimmy, wait until you get home.”

Taggart left the winner’s circle without the trophy and without the blanket but he held tight the Bailey’s Irish Cream.

Prince Aidid, trained by Laurie Whittemore for the Horseman’s Financial Agency, Inc. of North Aurora, Ill., paid $6.70 for win.

The St. Paddy Pace was the second leg of the Mighty M’s 2012 Heritage Drivers Series. Taggart now joins Bobby “Boonie” Williams, the winner of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Pace, as the second of the eight winners from the Heritage Drivers Series who will comprise the field for the All-America Cup, the series finale, later this fall.

The Series will continue on Thursday (April 12) with the “Race for the Matzohs,” the 12th annual Passover Pace which will feature the talents of drivers of Jewish heritage.