by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY – Jimmy Devaux put on a driving clinic yesterday, Wednesday, November 1 when he drove five horses to victory on the 13-race card at Monticello Raceway. And oddly, all his winners came behind trotters, which is a record of sorts and the first time in the 48 year history of Monticello Raceway that a driver reined five trotters to victory on one card.

Monticello Raceway photo

Jimmy Devaux is the first driver in the 48 year history of Monticello Raceway to rein five trotters to victory on one card.

Devaux started slowly and didn’t reach the winners circle until the sixth race when he guided B Practicing ($19.80) to a 2:00.3 victory. He then won the featured eighth race with Lemon Pepper ($9.20) in a time of 1:58.4.

He then finished with a rush winning the last three trots on the card. He scored with Thirty Trips ($6.80) in 2:00.4 in the 11^th; then guided Hanger Pride N ($5.30) to a come-from behind victory in 2:01.2 from the eight-hole; and finished his outstanding afternoon with a gate to wire triumph behind Craiger ($6.80) in 2:00.3.

The mild-mannered youngster seemed to take everything in stride after his victories. “I guess I was in a good spot and everything went just right all afternoon,” he said very unexcitedly, and then added “ya” know all the wins were with good class trotters, too.”

Devaux won the driving crown here during the 2002 season when he reined 288 winners. In his career the 39 year old reinsman has won over 1780, with the bulk coming since 2000 and with his five driving victories yesterday he now has 155 at the meeting which is good for fifth place on the local leaderboard.