by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — On Monday, Feb. 15, when Monticello Raceway presents its eighth annual Lady Godiva Pace, a race to showcase the talents of women drivers, the event will again be part of the Mildred Williams International Women’s Driving Series.

The Mildred Williams International Women’s Driving Series has been designed to promote the sport of harness racing, foster positive press, market to the missing demographic of young women and provide young women with the opportunity to participate and raise money for women related charities as well as honor a female pioneer (Mildred Williams) in the sport.

Recently Ann Curran, the award winning founder of the Mildred Williams Series, asked if Monticello Raceway would be interested in having its annual race for women drivers (the Lady Godiva) as part of this year’s series to which Shawn Wiles, the Mighty M’s Assistant General Manager, unequivocally said, “absolutely.”

Any lady with a license valid to drive in pari-mutuel races and who is in good standing with the United States Trotting Association and/or Standardbred Canada is eligible to compete.

As Curran explains, “most of the driving percentages earned by the competitors in the MWS are donated to Breast Cancer Charities but it is not a pre-requisite — most any charity will suffice.”

So when the ladies line-up behind the mobile starting gate on Feb. 15 they will be driving for a charity which, at this time, has yet to be named.

Last season many of the ladies who competed in Monticello Raceway’s Lady Godiva Pace also were members of the MWS. In fact, Doreen Dailey, who won last year’s Lady Godiva Pace, was a member of the MWS as were many others including Jody Riedel, Stacy Chiodo and Betsy Phillips.

Last season the Lady Godiva Pace kicked-off the Mildred Williams Series and this year’s event will be the first of the year-long competitions on the MWS schedule this season. After the Mighty M’s event, contests for the ladies will continue at Pompano Park on Feb. 20 and at Yonkers Raceway on May 20.

Currently Mighty M Director of Racing Eric Warner has heard from Doreen Dailey, who will return to defend her crown, but he will still need eight drivers to fill the race. Anyone interested in more information, or to enter the Lady Godiva Pace, is urged to contact Warner in the race office by calling 845.794.4100, ext. 557 — or they can contact the track’s publicity office at ext. 455.