by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — The Lady Godiva Pace began in 2003 and the event afforded aspiring female drivers a stage for competition. Slated for Monday (May 13), a day after Mother’s Day, the race is in dire needs of drivers.

When the Mildred Williams Series was going there were an abundance of ladies looking for a chance to drive. But now since that series has folded over the past two years the Mighty M has struggled to get enough drivers for a race.

Last year the track went with seven girls and earlier this season the race didn’t fill.

“The same thing happened last year; we had to change the race date from Valentine’s Day until the day after Mother’s Day,” noted Eric Warner, the track’s director of racing. “That problem arose again this year when we couldn’t fill the Lady Godiva in February. Hopefully we’ll get enough ladies for an event on May 13.

“As it stands now we have only heard from four women who say they are ready to drive in our upcoming event. They are Lisa Krom, Terry Donnelly, Whitney Goodblood and Veronica Merton. Monticello’s reigning queen, Betsy Phillips with 550 lifetime wins, is recuperating from a badly broken ankle and won’t be able to participate.”

Lisa Krom won last year’s Lady Godiva with East Tower in 1:59.4 which is currently the series’ best winning time. They defeated Western Dancing, driven by Whitney Goodblood, and Michelle Ruvola with B Major. In fact, Krom has won the last two Lady Godiva races.

Other past winners include Jody Riedel (2003 and 2006), Terry Donnelly (2004), Charlene (Sherry Urquidez) Cushing (2005), Devan Miller (2007), Betsy Phillips (2008), Doreen Daily (2009) and Jennifer Lappe (2010).

“Still there are plenty of women who would be eligible to compete this year. Hopefully we’ll hear from some of them in the near future,” Warner added.

The Lady Godiva will be the fourth leg of Monticello Raceway’s Heritage Drivers Series 2013 and the winner of this race will earn a berth in the series finale — dubbed the All-America Cup — set for later this fall.

Any lady with an “A” or “P” driving license from the USTA or Standardbred Canada interested in competing in the Lady Godiva on May 13 is urged to contact Warner in the race office at Monticello Raceway by calling 845.794.4100. ext. 557. Or they can call the track’s publicity office at ext. 455.