by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — Drinking Games is no stranger to the Monticello Raceway winner’s circle. In fact, with 10 victories and purses in excess of $92,000 last year she was not a stranger to any track’s winner’s circle.

On Monday afternoon (Jan. 7) the 6-year-old daughter of Cam’s Card Shark began the 2008 campaign with another trip to the Mighty M winner’s circle after she defeated seven rivals in the track’s $9,200 Mares Preferred Pace with a 1:58.1 effort.

Trainer Art Green handed the lines to Jordan “the Kid” Stratton and the youngster delivered.

Racehorsephoto.com photo

Drinking Games and Jordan “the Kid” Stratton cruised to a 1:58.1 victory in the Mighty M pacing feature.

Sent off the weak (5-2) favorite from the rail position, Stratton allowed Jimmy Devaux and Natural Woman N to take command after the quarter pole which was paced in :28.4. From there Drinking Games shadowed the leader until the passing lane opened at the top of the lane and then Stratton hustled her up the inside to a 1-1/4 length triumph.

After Patty Ben Beau recovered from a break at the start, driver Greg Merton sent her three-deep in the final turn and though Merton’s mare paced by Natural Woman N, Stratton and Drinking Games took the short route home and Patty Ben Beau had to settle for second money. Third place went to longshot My Miss Bliss, who was handled by Blue Chip Farm’s President, Mike Kimelman, Jr. Pacesetter Natural Woman N faded and finished fifth.

Drinking Games is owned in the Canadian Maritimes by Dr. Trevin Shive and John Philpott. She paid $7.10 for win.

It was the second driving victory of the afternoon for Jordan Stratton. He also won the fourth race with trotter Dunmore Topaz in a 2:04 clocking. However, upon the completion of the Mighty M program, “the Kid” traveled to Yonkers Raceway where he won two more races that evening.

Bruce Aldrich, Jr. also had a big day with four winners on the card. He scored with Ripkens Britt (2:02.3) in the second race and then won the third with Lolita B (2:00.2). His next victory didn’t come until the 10th when he reined Boco Beckons to a 1:58.2 triumph. Aldrich then won the final (13th) race with Moonlit Tori in 2:02.1.