by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — The last time Monticello Raceway staged the Maple Leaf Pace Stephane Bouchard walked away with the trophy after winning that 2005 event with 15-1 shot Elite Passage in a 2:01.2 clocking.

This season Bouchard will be back to defend his title on Monday, May 18, in the race specifically for drivers of Canadian descent, which, by the way, will be the fifth leg of the Mighty M’s Heritage Drivers Series.

In that contest on Canada’s Victoria Day, Bouchard has drawn Island Faith who has been tabbed as the morning line favorite from post position five. Though winless this year Island Faith was a 1:59.2 winner last fall.

However, Bouchard’s competition this time around appears to be somewhat tougher than it was four years ago. Among the reinsmen Bouchard will have to contend with are Richard Simard and Denis St. Pierre, both of whom have won thousands of races.

Simard, who plans on racing here and at Tioga Downs this summer, brings with him 5,291 career victories and multiple driving titles at various Canadian and American racetracks. St. Pierre, who owns a few driving titles of his own, has 2,783 lifetime wins and is currently among the driving leaders at Saratoga Raceway.

Simard has drawn Switch Lanes Mac, a 1:57.1 winner last year at Yonkers who is yet to get untracked this season, while St. Pierre’s charge, Jeffrey’s Girl, has been a 2:02.1 winner this year.

Don’t count out seven-time Monticello Raceway driving champion John “Sep” Gilmour, who owns 4,458 career driving victories. Gilmour will handle Fly With Action and start from post position three.

Rounding out the field of Canadian heritage drivers are Terry Finch (Southwinds Scarlet-post two); Bruce Borden (Yasmin Hanover-post four); Mike Doherty (A and G’s Flirt-post seven) and Jacques Primeau (Frosty Flake-post eight).

The Maple Leaf Pace is slated as race nine on the 11-race card on Monday.