by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — Monticello Raceway’s Heritage Drivers Series final — dubbed the All-America Cup — pitted the winners of each of the eight preliminary races for different ethnicities on Thursday (Nov. 29) and when the shouting ended Jimmy Devaux, winner of the Maple Leaf Mile for drivers of Canadian heritage, emerged victorious.

Gin And Vermouth and Jimmy Devaux held off fast closing Amazida (Mike Forte) to score a 1:59 victory.

He reined Gin And Vermouth to a length victory over Mike Forte (Godfather Pace winner) and Amazida in a 1:59 clocking. Jimmy Taggart, Jr. (St. Paddy Pace winner) finished third with EHI Guaglione.

“Each of our preliminary events was for drivers of different ethnicities so we called the Heritage Drivers Series final “The All-America Cup” because America is a nation of different ethnic citizens,” noted Eric Warner, the track’s Director of Racing. “And as luck would have it many of our top drivers won their respective ethnic races so we had a field of good drivers in the final event.”

After a recall for a horse with broken equipment, Devaux hustled Gin And Vermouth to the front and they led the field by the quarter in :28.4. As the field headed toward the halfway point, Bobby Williams, Jr., winner of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Pace, was parked out with Super Killean and they ranged alongside the leader as the field passed the half in :58.4.

With Super Killean still out on the limb as the field headed up the backside, it forced the trailing horses to go three-deep to get in contention. At that point Devaux put the pedal to the metal and Gin And Vermouth scooted away by five lengths as they headed into the final turn.

With a comfortable lead turning for home Gin And Vermouth didn’t seem interested and in the deep stretch Amazida and Forte made a late charge but they ran out of racetrack as Devaux’s pacer was the first one under the wire.

Geri Schwarz photos

Jimmy Devaux receives the trophy from Monticello General Manager Shawn Wiles (right) and racing secretary Eric Warner as trainer Bob Lounsbury (back) looks on.

“Before the race I looked over the program again and I felt my horse was the best and the only place to be when you’re the best is on the front end,” Devaux responded after being asked why he sent his pacer to the lead as the gate sprung.

“When we headed for home I was glad to have a big lead and thought we’d win it but with Mike (Forte with Amazida) coming so fast I wasn’t sure till we crossed the finish line.”

Trainer Bob Lounsbury, who joined Devaux in the winner’s circle presentation, chimed in with, “When he (Gin And Vermouth) doesn’t see any horses around him he lets go a bit but I knew he wouldn’t let Forte’s horse beat him once he heard him coming.”

Super Killean ( Bobby Williams, Jr.) finished fourth and Sue’s Destroyer finished fifth for Zeke Parker (Mayflower Mile winner). High Point (Lisa Krom, winner of the Lady Godiva), Doug’s Boy (Alan Charles, winner of the Passover Pace) and Foomanchu (Mike Merton, winner of the Munich Mile) also started.

For Gin And Vermouth, a Camluck 9-year-old gelding, it marked his 11th victory of the season. Owned by Margaret Olmstead, he paid $6.00 for win.