by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — Donnegal won the first of Monticello Raceway’s $15,000 featured trots when Yannick Gingras found room up the passing lane to score a length victory in a time of 1:59⁴ on Tuesday afternoon, August 3.

Gingras drove the Greg Wasiluk-trained four-year-old son of Sierra Kosmos for owner Bill Mulligan of New Hope, Pennsylvania. Sent off at odds of 3-1, Donnegal paid $8.10 for win.

Blastaway Sahbra, the betting favorite with Stephane Bouchard at the controls, rallied from fourth at the three-quarters to finish second. Third place went to the pace-setter, A Perfect Stranger, driven by Claude Huckabone.

Donnegal’s victory was his fourth of the year (and second consecutive) and raised his seasonal earnings to over $51,000.

Next week Monticello’s director of racing, Eric Warner, has switched the $15,000 trot to Wednesday and has added a $15,000 pace for three and four-year-olds who are winners of $8,000 or more in their last six starts and has it scheduled to be raced on Tuesday.

With the edition of the three and four-year-old pace The Mighty M will now have four $15,000 races per week: one each on Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays.

The horse and gelding pacers will continue to battle on Sundays while Monday’s $15,000 event is for fillies and mares.