by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — Before this year’s Passover Pace went to post on Monday, April 5, the race had more ups and downs than any other in the 12 years that Monticello Raceway has been presenting the “Race for the Matzohs.” But for one happy participant the day and results could not have been better.

Alan Charles, who raced horses in metropolitan New York years ago and who is now trying a comeback of sorts, was a last minute replacement for Dr. Doug King, who unfortunately came down with a case of food poisoning and could not fulfill his driving obligation.

Geri Schwarz photo

Cody Little Gal and Alan Charles cruised to a 2:01.3 triumph in the Passover Pace.

In the race Charles hustled Lawrence Ashton’s Cody Little Gal to the lead as the wings of the gate folded and proceeded to go wire-to-wire for a 2:01.3 triumph.

“I was told by the horse’s trainer (Jamie Gerard) that she (Cody Little Gal) could leave a little and was better on the front-end so I went for the lead and when the eight horse (In Concert, driven by Mark Liebowitz) came at us I kept her on the limb,” Charles explained. “I felt bad that I roughed-up that guy (Liebowitz) but my mare was hitting the bike in the turns and I really didn’t want to grab into her.”

Cody Little Gal put away In Concert as the field started up the backstretch and as she headed for the three-quarters challengers came from behind. However, Cody Little Gal was up to the test and drew off by three lengths as the field rounded the final turn. In the lane Charles asked his pacer for more and she responded and coasted home an easy two length winner. She is owned by Lawrence Ashton and returned a $16.90 win payoff.

Amateur driver Derick Giwner, the editor of the trade paper Harness Eye, rallied Ms Denise between horses to finish second while the betting favorite, Nan’s Ace with Mike Kimelman aboard, took home the show dough.

When the excited and happy Alan Charles reached the winner’s circle for the trophy presentation the first words out of his mouth were, “Now I can get in next year’s race, can’t I?” to which director of racing Eric Warner, also there for the presentation, said, “As a winner you’ll be invited next year, don’t worry.”

But Dr. King wasn’t the only driver who was unable to compete in the event. Last year’s winning driver PJ Lutman III was out of town and also not able to drive, though his brother Jimmy Shields filled in for him.

But the day began precariously when the publicity office got a call from the presiding judge at 9 a.m. saying that another Jewish driver was needed because of the late driver scratches.

A call was put out to Alan Charles, who as luck would have it, was available and said he’d be there. For the past three years Charles had been trying to get into the Passover Pace and despite having to get a New York State license and be fingerprinted prior to driving, he had to, on a moment’s notice, drop what he was doing and come up from the Meadowlands to compete in the event.

And as fate would have it, Charles was rewarded with his first driving victory since 1992, though in deference to him he has been away from the game for more than 15 years.

The Passover Pace was the fourth leg of the Mighty M’s Heritage Drivers Series and the next scheduled Heritage Drivers Series event is the Maple Leaf Pace for drivers of Canadian heritage.

However, the Mighty M has had numerous calls to have heritage events for drivers of Scandinavian extraction, as well as a race for drivers of Hispanic heritage, to which Director of Racing Eric Warner said, “We’ll look into it and if we get enough drivers we’ll put on events for them, too.”