by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — She came into the race as the morning line favorite and for the 21st time this year Percee Angus didn’t let her backers down.

Racehorsephoto.com photo

Percee Angus holds off Natural Woman N to score her 21st season’s victory.

On Monday afternoon (Dec. 18) the 4-year-old Blissfull Hall mare scorched the Mighty M double oval in 1:56.3 and for the second consecutive week she turned back the best pacing mares on the grounds when she won the $15,000 Mare Preferred Pace.

Mark Beckwith was at the controls and together with Percee Angus they made every pole a winning one. After they started from the rail position, Percee Angus grabbed command in the first turn and raced unchallenged until the stretch, at which point Jimmy Devaux moved Natural Woman N to the outside for the stretch drive, and though Natural Woman N gained with every stride, the wire came up too soon and they had to settle for second money. She’s My Belle, who finished third against Percee Angus last week, was third again for Ray Schnittker.

Taken from a $20,000 claiming event on November 13 by Frederick and Anita Fialkow, it marked Percee Angus’ third victory for her new owners and 21st overall this season. Trained by Lance Hudson, she paid $3.40 to win.

But how about Stephane Bouchard?

On Monday’s card the meet’s leading driver racked up another seven driving victories and ran his local total to 393. His 587 seasonal driving victories is good for fifth place on the North American leaderboard.

Bouchard started the day with a bang, winning the first three races on the card. He scored with Mike’s Wild Magic ($3.10) in 2:02.4 in the first, Demeter ($4.20) in 2:03.1 in the second, and won the third with Passion For Life ($7.80) in 1:59.4.

His fourth winner came when he guided Legacy Frank ($4.70) to a 1:58.3 victory in the seventh and he then reined Bambina’s Sorella ($3.00) home first in 2:01 in the ninth. Bouchard then followed with a victory behind Lucky Angel ($3.10) in 1:58.3 in the tenth race and capped his amazing afternoon with win number seven behind Remember May A ($2.80) in the 13th race.