by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — Stephane Bouchard sat patiently covered on the outside in fifth position and followed cover until the top of the stretch and then rallied down the passing lane to score a 2:02.3 victory with Richard Ingrassia’s Island Faith in Monticello Raceway’s Maple Leaf Pace on the cool and cloudy Monday afternoon of May 18.

Island Faith was an easy winner for Stephane Bouchard in the Maple Leaf Pace.

The race, for drivers of Canadian descent, was the fifth leg of the Mighty M’s Heritage Drivers Series and was presented on Canada’s Victoria Day. Bouchard also won the inaugural Maple Leaf Pace back in 2005.

At the start of Monday’s contest seven-time Monticello Raceway driving champ John Gilmour sent Jeffrey’s Girl to the lead at the start and they had command at the quarter pole in :29.2 with Richard Simard, up from Pompano Park just for the event, tucked nicely in behind the leader with Switch Lanes Mac.

Gilmour showed the way by the half in 1:00.3 and at the three-quarters Jeffrey’s Girl still had command as the timer flashed 1:31.1. At that point Simard’s pacer chucked it and Southwind Scarlet (Terry Finch) and Yasmin Hanover (Bruce Borden) took up the chase with the eventual winner pacing around the tiring Switch Lanes Mac and then settling in along the pylons behind the pacesetter, Jeffrey’s Girl.

As Gilmour tried to fend off the pacers on the outside Bouchard angled to the passing lane and Island Faith rallied to a 1-1/2 length triumph over Finch’s Southwind Scarlet. Borden’s Yasmin Hanover lost second place in a tight photo while Jeffrey’s Girl faded and finished fourth.

Geri Schwarz photos

Stephane Bouchard receives the trophy from Mary Buckles, Monticello Casino & Raceway Administrative Assistant.

But there was more drama prior to the race than was in the race itself, although the stretch drive was exciting with four horses racing side-by-side toward the finish line.

First the race was marred with two late scratches and Gilmour, who was programmed to drive the scratched Fly With Action, was moved to handle Jeffrey’s Girl.

That move was necessitated because Denis St. Pierre, who was to drive Jeffrey’s Girl, called at 2:00 p.m. to say he couldn’t make the race because of a problem with one of his horses at Saratoga Raceway, his home track.

However, Richard Simard’s determination to honor his commitment was a story in itself.

After racing in the final race at Pompano Park on Saturday night, May 16, Simard got in his car and set-out for Monticello Raceway — some 1,500 miles north. He made it to New Jersey before he stopped on Sunday night and then planned an early start to Monticello the next morning.

Simard set out again on Monday and didn’t go 50 feet before a radiator hose on his car burst. After he had the hose replaced it was back on the road to the Mighty M but inaccurate directions and road construction had him calling the Monticello Raceway judges often to inform them where he was, that he was coming and was hopeful to make it in time for the race.

He arrived at the track just about 55 minutes before the race was to begin but he still had to get his New York State license in order to participate. After he had completed his license forms he hustled to the paddock with barely enough time to change into his colors before the race was to begin.

In spite of Simard giving Switch Lanes Mac an ideal two-hole journey in the Maple Leaf Pace the mare faded badly and finished fifth, some 11 lengths behind the winner.

But Simard, who owns 5,290 lifetime driving victories, was philosophical and surprisingly mellow after his ordeal.

“I never drove this far, or went through so much trouble, just to drive in a $2,500 purse race,” he chuckled.