by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

MONTICELLO, NY – Running Book and Laughing Art won their respective elimination divisions for the $528,000 Monticello Gold Rush over a soggy racetrack on a rainy July 23 afternoon at Monticello Raceway.

Running Book won his split in 1:54:1 and Laughing Art was successful in 1:55:2. Both pacers were driven by Mark MacDonald; trained by Bill Elliot and both are owned by Anthony Chiaravalle of Hamilton, Ont.

Of the two victors Running Book was the most impressive.

In the first division after following pace-setter Forenzic Z Tam (Pat Lachance) until midway up the backstretch MacDonald moved the son of Real Desire to the outside and he blew by Forensic A Tam and quickly opened up five lengths on the field. By the time Running Book reached the finish line the margin had grown to 8 1-2 lengths.

Second under the wire in that split was Kenneth J (Ron Pierce) who recovered nicely after making a break in the first turn and third place went to Ghee’s House (Yannick Gingras). Hagi (Jimmy Morrill, Jr.) finished fourth and thus qualified for the rich Gold Rush Final.

MacDonald had some luck in winning the second division with Laughing Art. Glass Pack and Yannick Gingras were on the front end and when they were half way around the paddock turn Glass Pack went off stride and Laughing Art, who was in the two-hole, inherited the lead.

Laughing Art was in command as the field passed the three quarters with Ideal Vintage (Daniel Dube) tucked in tightly in behind him and poised for the stretch drive.

In the lane Dube moved his pacer to out challenge but Laughing Art was up to the test and crossed the finish a 3-4 length winner. Ideal Vintage held second while Fresh Deck (John Campbell) got up for the show dough.

Lindy’s Bandit (Jimmy Morrill, Jr.) was the fourth horse under the wire which earned him earned a chance to compete in the final set for next Monday afternoon, July 30.

Mark MacDonald said he would probably drive Running Book in the final and when asked if he was another Presidential Ball—a champion also owned by Tony Chiaravalle—he pondered for a moment and then said “he might be….. only time will tell.”