by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — Bolt Of Silk and driver Ken Devaux bolted through between horses at the top of the lane and then angled back to the pylons in mid-stretch and down the passing lane en route to a 2:00.2 victory in Monticello Raceway’s Maple Leaf Pace on Monday afternoon, May 24.

Geri Schwarz photo

Ken Devaux rallied Bolt Of Silk to a half-length victory in the Maple Leaf Pace.

“They were battlin’ up front the whole way and I was just waiting for a chance to move,” a happy and smiling Devaux said in the winner’s circle when he accepted the trophy. “But for a while, though, I didn’t think I’d see any daylight then a hole opened at the top of the stretch and we zigged and zagged all the way to the wire.”

For Devaux patience paid off. During the early part of the race there was plenty of action on the front end but the winner bided his time along the pylons the entire mile and Bolt Of Silk hardly ever got a call. However with some slick maneuvering in the homestretch Bolt Of Silk got the final call from announcer Howard Oil when they charged to a half-length victory in the race strictly for drivers of Canadian heritage.

When the mobile starting gate sped away Bruce Borden and Notimefordreaming took command as favored Mojo Mama and driver Jimmy Devaux ranged up to challenge for the lead. But Borden played hardball and forced Devaux to settle in behind him as the field headed into the paddock turn.

As Notimefordreaming headed to the halfway point Jimmy Devaux was out and going again. Though they ranged alongside the leader they never could pass and the two raced head and head all the way to the finish line. And had Ken Devaux not found racing room in the lane Borden’s racing strategy would have paid off. However, Notimefordreaming ended up second best as Mojo Mama still couldn’t pass and finished third. For what was a field of lesser caliber pacers the race was one of the best of the day especially when Maxime Velaye rallied JL Lucy three wide coming off the final turn and four horses came to a blanket finish.

Velaye, 22, who came in from Ontario, traveled the farthest to compete. Mark Gingrich also came a long way to drive, having shipped in from Pocono Downs. His horse finished sixth.

Bolt Of Silk, owned and trained by Bill Mintz, paid $10.80 for win. It was her first seasonal victory.

The event was the fifth leg of Monticello Raceway’s Heritage Drivers Series and now Ken Devaux has earned a berth in the series final — the All America Pace — which will be contested in early October. He’ll join the winners of the previous Heritage Drivers Series events.