by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — Once again looking like the trotter that garnered back to back “Trotter of the Year awards” here for the past two seasons, Donnegal again ruled supreme when he easily won the $8,100 weekly Preferred Trot at Monticello Raceway on Wednesday, April 2.

Mike Forte, who again handled the driving chores for trainer Greg Wasiluk, responded admirably and guided the 8-year-old son of Sierra Kosmos to a four length triumph over Inigo Montoya and driver Stephane Bouchard in a time of 1:58.4.

Donnegal, who was a beaten fifth in his last start when he finished some six lengths back against the same company a week ago, just toyed with the field on Wednesday afternoon.

Forte sent Donnegal to the front from post position five and played catch me if you can, and nobody could. They trotted through fractions of :29.1; :59 and 1:28.3 before the veteran stallion led the field to the finish line.

Donnegal, Bill Mulligan’s pride and joy, won the weekly Preferred Trot for the third time this season and according to Mulligan, who was watching the race on his computer in Naples, Florida where he spends the winter, his horse appeared to be as good as he’s been in recent years.

“Greg (Wasiluk, Donnegal’s trainer) has been working hard on him and the old guy looked extremely good today,” Mulligan related joyfully by phone after he watched his veteran trotter score an easy victory over the best trotters on the grounds.

“Donnegal and Greg are a great combo and this horse gives me about as much pleasure as any that I have owned and I’ve had a few good ones over the years. He’s from the first crop that I raised on my farm (Marion Farms in New Hope, Pa.) and over the years Greg has done a wonderful job with him.”

For the record it was not only Donnegal’s third seasonal triumph but the 29th of his career. With his victory the trotter raised his lifetime earnings to over $296,000.

Though his performance last week wasn’t stellar, Donnegal was still sent away as the betting favorite and returned a $4.20 win mutuel.

Also on the card, veteran reinsman Billy “Zeke” Parker, Jr. won three races and raised his lifetime total to 9,340.

Parker scored with Summer Sky Stables’ Call The Master ($9.30) in 2:02 in the second race and then won the fourth in 2:02 with Jimmy Rossi’s trotter Jaguar ($4.30). Parker’s third victory came in the fifth race behind Sophia Stables’ good looking trotter Heidi Falls ($15.00) in a 2:01 clocking despite being parked the entire mile.

All three of Parker’s winners are trained by Sam Fava.