by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway
Monticello Raceway first opened its doors on June 27, 1958 and only once in the tracks 47 year history did it ever present a match race and that occurred on June 24, 1960. The budding world champion Adios Butler, who was driven by Eddie Cobb, was pitted against the outstanding free for all pacer, Tar Boy, who had Levi Harner aboard.
This event differed from the others in that there was betting on that two horse race. And it was a fabulous event.
Levi Harner sent his pacer to the front from post position one with Eddie Cobb content to tuck “The Butler” in behind the leader. Tar Boy passed the quarter mile pole in :29:3 and the half in 1:00:3 and still was in command as the two pacers went by the three quarters in 1:31. After they passed that station Eddie Cobb decided to challenge with Adios Butler and he moved his pacer to the outside. “The Butler” ranged up alongside Tar Boy in the final turn and when the two headed down the stretch Tar Boy fought gamely but Adios Butler proved to be too much and paced off to a one-half length victory in a time of 2:00:3; a track record performance at that time.
Tar Boy went off at odds of 4 to 5 and Adios Butler was sent away at odds just shy of 1 to 2 and returned a $2.90 win mutuel.
After 44 years The Mighty M is back in the match race business. This time two grand old warriors, The Suleiman N and Troy D , will lock horns on December 30, the tracks last day of racing during the 2004 campaign.
Slated as the first race on the betting card, The Suleiman N and Troy D will tangle in what is being billed as the “Clash of the Senior Titans”.
Lon Frocione’s, Troy D has drawn the pylon position while Leah Schifano and Christopher Berke’s, The Suleiman N will start from post position two.
Both pacers come into the race in good form. Troy D has two wins and three seconds in his last six starts while The Suleiman N shows three wins and two seconds in his last six outs.
During 2004 Troy D has had four wins, 10 seconds and one third in 31 starts and earned $13,358. His fastest victory was a 1:57:3 effort at Vernon Downs last summer. The Suleiman N, on the other hand, raced 35 times and registered 15 wins , eight seconds and four thirds and earned $28,148. His 1:56 victory at Pocono Downs last summer was the old geldings best clocking of the year.
After the contest the grand old warriors will have to hang-up their hopples as they will be forced into retirement when the New Year begins.
But both pacers have enjoyed wonderful careers.
Troy D, a Walton Hanover gelding, has won 90 races and earned purses in excess of $371,000 . His lifetime record of 1:52:2 was taken as a six year old.
The Suleiman N , an altered son of the exported Plat Du Jour (a brother of French Chef) won over $411,000 on two continents. He amassed over $200,000 in his native New Zealand before coming to the States at age eight. In the U.S. The Suleiman N has earned in excess of $211,000 and took his record of 1:52 at The Meadowlands at age 11. In his career he has won 55 races-46 in America and nine in New Zealand.