by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — In 1983 when Walter Case, Jr. drove pacer Don Torpid to his ninth consecutive victory at Monticello Raceway no one could have imagined that the record they established would last for 25 years, especially since Monticello has been a year-round racing facility since those days.

But lo and behold the record has stood, that is until last week when another claiming pacer by the name of Hogies Cam, driven by Jordan Stratton, scored his ninth win in a row here.

And now on Tuesday, May 6, Hogies Cam, owned by Charles Strukel, will attempt to establish a new Monticello Raceway track record of 10 consecutive wins when the pacer starts from post position two in the first race.

Trainer Bob Beauregard said that setting a new track mark was a primary concern.

“We’ve come this close and now I really want the record,” Beauregard said. “We’ve got the two hole against similar company and I think we’ve got a heck of a shot at doing it.”

Rated as the 6-5 morning line favorite, Hogies Cam will definitely be the one to beat. In again for a $12,500 tag the speed ball pacer will undoubtedly be raced on the front end, a position from which he has been victorious in each of his nine previous wins.

Stratton, who has developed into a top driver, feels he has a good chance at setting the record on Tuesday.

“I know Bob (trainer Beauregard) has the horse in top form and we have a good (post) position so I feel we have a very good chance,” Stratton said. “Of course we’ll also need a little luck.”

Seven pacers will go to post in the first race on Tuesday. Post time is at 1:10 p.m.