by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — Although it took longer than anticipated to present the eight legs of the Mighty M’s 2013 Heritage Drivers Series, the sixth edition of the Maple Leaf Mile will go to post on Wednesday afternoon (Nov. 20).

The eighth and final preliminary leg of Monticello Raceway’s event for drivers of different ethnicities will feature those of Canadian extraction and the winner of the Maple Leaf Mile will be eligible to participate in the series finale — the All-America Cup — on Wednesday (Dec. 18).

Last year the Maple Leaf Mile was a trot won by Jimmy Devaux and the Canadian-owned Gate Keeper in a time of 2:02.4. This year the race is for pacers.

However, as luck would have it, Devaux has drawn the early line favorite in the Wednesday contest. He’ll handle Jack and Rose Deluca’s JB’s ATM (5-2) from post two.

Devaux is a former Monticello Raceway driving champion and has reined 358 winners this year which ranks him 21st on the North American leaderboard. Thus far in his career, Devaux has recorded 3,409 career driving victories.

But it won’t be a cakewalk for Devaux.

Mighty M newcomers Aaron Byron and Jason Ryan will be formidable foes. The former will guide Mark and Phyllis Liebowitz’s Integrity (9-2) from post three while the latter will be up behind Most Happy Stables’ Whata Rock (5-1) and leave from the five hole.

Other drivers of Canadian heritage who’ll be in the race include Peter Lutman III, Keith Haase, Truman Gale, Jacques Primeau and Mike Doherty.

Ronnie Wrenn, Jr., the leading dash-winning driver in North America, who was heralded to be among the drivers in the event, called on Monday and said he won’t be able to participate.

The Maple Leaf Mile will be the seventh race on the 13-race card on Wednesday. First race post will be at 12:25 p.m. with the approximate time of the Maple Leaf Mile at 2:05 p.m.