by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — In his first time competing in Monticello Raceway’s Passover Pace, Bob Krivelin walked away a winner after he reined Whitaker Blue Chip to a 2:01.4 triumph in the ‘Race for the Matzos.’

“I felt like Moses leading the Jews out of Egypt,” Krivilen joked. “This is the first pacer I’ve driven in a longtime and let me tell you he was a whole lot easier to handle than the trotters I’ve been driving lately.”

Geri Schwarz photo

Bob Krivelin receives his matzos from Judy Levine of the Monticello Casino in the track’s winner’s circle.</TD

Krivelin guided his pacer to a five length triumph over Hawaiian Hunk who was handled by Derick Giwner, the editor of Harness Eye. Third place went to Ya Gotta Belief and driver Dave Yarock and Alan Schwartz finished fourth with Hoosier Cougar. Oddly, the first four finishers in the race were handled by an amateur driver.

When the mobile gate sped away from the field at the start, Krivelin sent Whitaker Blue Chip to the lead but he had company in the presence of Mark Liebowitz, who also hustled his pacer, Starfleets Fudge, toward the front end. With Starfleets Fudge on the limb the two leaders passed the first stanza in :28.4, at which point Krivelin grabbed leather and let Liebowitz cut the mile.

Starfleets Fudge took the field by the half in :59 as company began moving on the outer tier. When the field approached the three-quarters Giwner, who was sitting fourth at the time, moved off the pylons and had his sights on the front-end. But just as he approached Whitaker Blue Chip, Krivelin moved quickly to the outside and charged to the lead before the final turn. From there Whitaker Blue Chip rambled home an easy winner with the race for second money still in doubt.

“When I moved out in the backstretch I thought I had a good shot to win it,” Giwner said after the race. “But Krivelin snuck out on me. I believe if I could have kept him in I would have won it.”

Giwner did manage to get Hawaiian Hunk up for the place money and he finished ahead of Yarock and a fast closing Ya Gotta Belief. However, had Alan Schwartz see some daylight earlier with Hoosier Cougar, he would have been second instead of fourth as the three pacers were just noses apart at the wire.

After plenty of road trouble Peter Kleinhans finished fifth with Whitewall Hanover and Mike Kimelman was sixth with RH Bittersweet. Auditor N was flat from the pylon position for Alan Charles and finished seventh while Starfleets Fudge faded and finished last.

Billy Kapinos trains Whitaker Blue Chip, who is owned by Marissa Russo. He paid $7.00 for win.

“Before the race (Billy) Parker said that speed wasn’t holding up today and that’s why I wanted cover when I let Liebowitz go,” Krivelin added. “And since I was using Billy’s bike I thought I better heed his advice.”

In the winner’s circle Krivelin seemed happier with the box of Matzos than with the blanket and the huge trophy he received.

“I love these matzos,” he chirped. “They’re Streit’s — my favorite brand. I make matzo-brie every morning with them during Passover.”