by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — Last season Paul Kasofsky, of nearby Ferndale, N.Y., was Monticello Raceway’s Owner of the Year, and for good reason. His stock won more purse money than any other owner at the Sullivan County oval during the 2006 campaign.

And again this year, the man who is probably more noted for flying drivers to their North American assignments with his Panda Air, is picking up where he left off last year.

Kasofsky has a penchant for foreign-bred horses, especially ones from New Zealand, and they have been paying dividends for him.

Racehorsephoto.com photo

Jimmy Devaux cruises to a 1:55 victory with New Zealand-bred Ashford Castle N.

At the Mighty M on Tuesday afternoon, February 27, Kasofsky’s Ashford Castle N scored his fourth victory in six seasonal starts when driver Jimmy Devaux reined him to a stunning 1:55 triumph over a stellar field of winners over pacers.

After tasting defeat in his last start the 7-year-old Holmes Hanover gelding rebounded with a wire-to-wire triumph in a lifetime best. Ashford Castle N finished four lengths ahead of Handsome Jate, who was driven by Jordan “the Kid” Stratton. Third place went to Top Flight, in rein to Jimmy Taggart, Jr.

“This is a real nice horse and we are looking for big things from him this year,” Kasofsky said. “He’s only had 13 starts for us since coming to America last summer, but from them he’s had six wins, two seconds and two thirds. We’re hopeful that he’ll be like all the other foreign horses that come over here in that they continue to get better with age.”

Sent off at odds of over 3-1, Ashford Castle N paid $8.80 for win.

The pacing co-feature, a $30,000 claiming pace, saw Mike Merton rein Flirtin Forever to a solid one length triumph over Carolina Moon, who was handled by Merton’s younger brother, Greg. Starfire took home the show dough for driver Jimmy Devaux.

Mike Merton used a second over trip to be within striking distance in the final turn before rallying down the center of the track to score the Stand Forever gelding’s first seasonal victory in eight starts, though he has previously had three seconds and two thirds.

Owned by Sheldon Drazner of Allentown, N.J., and trained by another Merton brother, Bobby, Jr., Flirtin Forever paid a hefty $20.40 win payoff.

Beginning Thursday, March 1, first post at Monticello will be at 1:10 p.m. and continue at that time until late October.