by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — Monticello Raceway may be one horse closer to having a field for the Au Revoir, the race exclusively for 14-year-olds on Monday (Dec. 30).

“I recently heard from Joe Rayll who said he was going to enter Hez Da Man N in our Au Revior,” related Eric Warner, the track’s director of racing. “Joe’s been racing at Freehold (Raceway) and will have to travel a ways to be with us next Monday. That’s usually the case with all the 14-year-olds who enter. They aren’t concentrated in one place and have to travel so we never know who really is coming until we open the (entry) box.”

Warner has also heard from the connections of Copper Canyon, Run Tim Run and Rare Glory and if they all enter only a few more pacers will be needed.

However, he also has received interest from Will Johnson, the owner of Anvil Raider N. Last Saturday night the veteran pacer became the winningest horse in North America this year when he notched his 22nd victory of the season with Ronnie Wrenn, Jr. aboard. That triumph is now one more than the Mighty M’s Tracys Song, whose 21 wins had led the parade until then.

“Mr. Johnson said there may be another 14-year-old in the Cleveland area that may want to come and that maybe they can van in together,” Warner added.

One oldtimer who will probably skip this year’s Au Revoir, and perhaps rightly so, is Forest Vic A. Although the Australian-bred gelding by the American stallion Troublemaker has only won two races this year he has bankrolled more than $81,000 while competing at Yonkers Raceway all season long.

Obviously there are other 14-year-olds still competing in December and hopefully some may join the fray for this year’s Au Revoir.

Last year the winner of the Au Revoir, Whitlock N, came in from Maine while the early favorite Tattler’s Jet was from Wisconsin.

“As I said, we never know who is actually coming, although we work hard to find possible entrants,” Warner added. “And should anyone want to enter their 14-year-old in our race, please remember the entry box for the Au Revoir closes at 9 a.m. Thursday (Dec. 26).”

In spite of the distances that the horses have to travel just to compete, the Mighty M has filled and presented the Au Revoir three times in the last four years.