by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — Though Monticello Raceway has yet to hear from Cat Manzi or Ed Lohmeyer about their possible participation in the track’s eighth and final Heritage Drivers Series preliminary leg, the Godfather Pace for drivers of Italian extraction, acceptance calls have come from Joe Faraldo and George Casale.

The two world class amateur drivers, who are also members of the C.K.G. Billings Amateur Driving Series, will join the already committed Kyle DiBenedetto and John DeSimone, Jr. in the event which will be presented on Wednesday, August 26, the date in 1451 in which the Italian-born explorer Christopher Columbus was born.

According to Eric Warner, the track’s Director of Racing, that date may make it impossible for Cat Manzi to participate. Warner is still hoping that Ed Lohmeyer, who is the defending champion, having won the race when last presented a few seasons ago, might be available.

Faraldo, a former National Amateur Driver of the Year, has just returned from Italy where he competed against other world class amateur drivers at racetracks in Puglia. An attorney by trade, Faraldo has long been a proponent of horsemen’s rights and has long served as the President of the Standardbred Owners Association of New York as well as serving as counsel to other horsemen’s organizations. In his amateur driving career Faraldo has reined 124 winners.

Also an attorney, Casale, is the executive director of the SOA of NY and has been an award winning amateur reinsman himself. Currently Casale’s 75 points in the eastern region of the Billings Series ranks him third on the leaderboard, just three points behind Tom Williams and Tony Verruso’s 78 points.

The winner of the Godfather Pace will join the winners of the previous Heritage Drivers Series preliminary legs in the series finale in early October.

Drivers who already have earned a berth in the series finale via their victories in the preliminary legs include: Jim King Solomon (Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Pace); Doreen Dailey (Lady Godiva Pace); Jimmy Marohn, Jr. (St. Paddy Pace); PJ. Lutman III (Passover Pace); Stephane Bouchard (Maple Leaf Pace); Billy Parker, Jr. (Mayflower Mile); and Jordan Stratton (Munich Mile).

“At this time we still could use a few more drivers of Italian descent since we definitely will need eight drivers for a full field,” Warner said.

Any driver of Italian extraction wanting to participate, or needing further information about the Godfather Pace, is urged to contact Warner in the racing office by calling 845.794.4100, ext. 557; or they can contact the track’s publicity office at ext. 455.