by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — Don’t hang up the harnesses of the 14-year-olds just yet. According to Eric Warner, Monticello Raceway’s Director of Racing, the Raceway will again offer a final race for the older veterans in late December, an event which has gone by the name of “The Au Revoir.”

“We will be racing on New Year’s Eve Day, Friday, Dec. 31, but if a date earlier in the final week of December works out better for all concerned we’ll offer The Au Revoir on a day when it might be more convenient for all concerned,” Warner said.

In what was believed to have been an industry first, Monticello Raceway presented the initial “Au Revior” for 14-year-olds on Dec. 31, 1991, which turned out to be a great attraction.

“That event was originally slated as a pace but we had one trotter competing in it,” Warner explained. “The New York State Racing and Wagering Board gave us permission to have a mixed field in order to fill the race and we’re hoping that they’ll do the same again this year if we can’t get seven or eight horses of the same gait.”

Every year after the inaugural Au Revoir the Mighty M has offered a race for 14-year-olds in late December but only on four other occasions was Warner able to get enough old-timers together to present a betting race. Last year was the fourth time the race was presented — or the fifth time if one can count the match race between the veteran pacers Troy D and The Suleiman N on Dec. 30, 2004.

Anyone owning a 14-year-old trotter or pacer who would like have their horse race one last time in The Au Revior at Monticello Raceway during the last week of December is urged to contact Warner in the racing office by calling 845.794.4100, ext. 557; or they can call the raceway’s publicity department at ext. 455.