by Shawn Wiles, for Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — Bruce Aldrich Jr. and Dolores Basilone were recently honored as the top driver and trainer, respectively, at Monticello Raceway in 2016.

Geri Schwarz photo

Dolores Basilone and Bruce Aldrich Jr. received their awards from Monticello’s Director of Racing Eric Warner.

Bruce Aldrich Jr. continues to solidifying his dynasty as the leading driver at Monticello Raceway. As the leading dash winner, he finished the season on a high note by winning three races on the last card of the year.

Aldrich finished the year with 386 wins at Monticello, a respectable UDR of .413, and his mounts earned $1,083,627. He also ranked sixth in North America for most wins with 596.

Jim Taggart Jr. finished the year in second place with 284 wins. The hard driving Taggart was the most active driver in the Monticello driver’s colony with 1,458 starts. Larry Stalbaum was third with 204 wins, followed by Michael Merton with 188 wins and James Devaux rounding out the top five with 181.

The 2016 Monticello Raceway Rising Star Award winner Justin Huckabone was a respectable sixth with 119 wins.

On the trainer side of the slate, newcomer Dolores Basilone won her first training title at Monticello Raceway. From 562 starters, her stock found the winner’s circle 150 times, earning her stable $402,756.

Kim Asher from the powerful Larry Stalbaum stable was second with 118 wins, Gary Messenger’s 104 wins earned him third place, former two-time leading Monticello trainer Robert Lounsbury was fourth with 93 wins, and Dan Gill rounded out the top five by virtue of his 84 wins.

Lounsbury had the highest UTR of .435.

Both Messenger and Asher ranked in the top 20 in North America for wins. Messenger was 16th with 156 wins and Asher was 20th with 154 wins.