by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — Last December Monticello Raceway’s leading driver, Bruce Aldrich, Jr., locked horns with Northfield Park’s top gun, Ronnie Wrenn, Jr., in a ‘drive-off’ here where both men drove in every race on the card. Aldrich, the home-towner, reined six winners while Wrenn, the visitor, had four.

And when the curtain came down on the 2013 racing season, these gentlemen finished one-two in driving victories in North America, Wrenn with 714 and Aldrich with 645.

Geri Schwarz photo

Bruce Aldrich, Jr. won three races on Monday at Monticello.

On Monday (March 24) at Monticello Raceway, Aldrich, who tops the standings here, reined three winners on the eight-race card. The previous day, Sunday (March 23), Aldrich had a five bagger at Saratoga. Since Friday (March 21) he has reined 12 winners.

Wrenn is driving daily at Northfield Park, Buffalo Raceway and The Meadows and has had 15 wins since last Friday.

And with opportunities to drive every day of the week, the wins will add up.

Since both drivers have been heating up, each has been moving up on the North American leaderboard in wins again this year. Wrenn’s 128 winners ranks him fourth while Aldrich’s 102 ties him for seventh, both chasing leader Corey Callahan’s 147.

Since neither trains a stable of horses and concentrate mainly on driving, they are more free to travel to various race tracks to ply their trade.

“I’m constantly on the go and I cover plenty of miles in my car,” Aldrich admits. “Let me tell you that constantly going up and down the highways takes its toll, especially when Monticello and Saratoga are 140 miles apart.

“Oh, I’m not complaining, because I’m lucky enough to get live drives at both tracks.”

The same could be said by Wrenn who covers plenty of ground on the highways, too. And that he’s currently fourth in wins on the continent speaks volumns for his talents, especially since he had an operation on his wrist earlier this season and didn’t get started driving in earnest until February.

And barring any unforeseen problems, both figure to garner plenty of winners again this year.