by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — Monday, May 21, is Victoria Day in Canada this year and to honor our neighbors north of the border, Monticello Raceway will present the Victoria Day Pace as part of its year-long Heritage Drivers Series. The race will feature the talents of drivers of Canadian heritage and be the fifth ethnic event presented thus far this year at the Mighty M.

In Canada, the celebration of Victoria Day occurs every year on Monday, prior to May 25. It is the official celebration in Canada of the birthdays of Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth II. Victoria Day was established as a holiday in Canada West (now Ontario) in 1845, and became a national holiday in 1901. Before Victoria Day became a national holiday, people had celebrated Empire Day, beginning in the 1890s as Victoria approached her diamond jubilee in 1897.

Victoria, queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and empress of India, was born on May 24, 1819. She ascended the throne after the death of her uncle George IV in 1837 when she was only 18. She ruled until her death in 1901 when her son Edward VII became King of England.

Eric Warner, the track’s Director of Racing is currently in the process of seeking Canadian-born drivers to compete in Monticello Raceway’s Victoria Day Pace.

“We have quite a few drivers of Canadian heritage currently racing with us, but we will need eight in order to have a full field,” Warner said. “Any driver (fitting the criteria) interested in competing can call me in the racing office at (845) 794-4100, ext. 557 or call our publicity office at ext. 455.”

Also slated that day will be the first annual Don Karkos Memorial Pace.

Last fall a bop on the noggin by a horse named My Buddy Chimo restored eyesight to Karskos’ right eye after he lost sight in it over 60 years ago during an attack on his merchant marine ship during World War II.

Dubbed the “Monticello Miracle” by the local press, Karkos’ story went world wide and it was a beautiful one at that. Karkos, who was 82 at the time, had worked at the Mighty M for many years as a paddock security guard and unfortunately he passed away a few months after his “miracle” was known. Now Monticello Raceway will pay tribute to him with a memorial race in his honor and present it annually at the behest of his family.

On May 21, Karkos’ wife April will have their entire family on hand for the memorial tribute and race dedication.

And the May 21 date works out perfectly because April Karkos is herself, a Canadian-born American, and she’ll make the presentation to the winning driver of the Victoria Day Pace that afternoon.