by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — When Monticello Raceway presents its 10th edition of the St. Paddy Pace on St. Patrick’s Day, Wednesday, March 17, outstanding horseman Kevin McDermott will be among the drivers participating.

McDermott campaigns one of the most successful stables at the Meadowlands and also has a powerful contingent competing at The Meadows. Among McDermott’s stars currently in action include McGibson, Rock N Roll Star, Blueridge Western, Lookout Hanover, Hennessey Hanover and Noble Falcon.

Kevin McDermott will drive in Monticello Raceway’s St. Paddy Pace.

A trainer who has harnessed 1,118 winners thus far in his career, McDermott has sent 21 horses to the winner’s circle already this year. And last season the affable horseman had 118 winners who earned nearly $2.2 million.

Though McDermott has had many thrills in racing one of his greatest came last season when his primary patron Fran Azur, wanting to do something for his hometown county fair in Barton, Vt., sent both Noble Falcon and Blueridge Western along with drivers Brian Sears and Tim Tertick, to that Orleans County Fair where the two pacers and the outstanding drivers put on an exhibition mile which nearly ended in a dead-heat in a 1:56.2 clocking and shattered the track record as the 1,500 attending fans cheered from start to finish.

McDermott said of that race, “I don’t think I ever had tears in my eyes at a race before this. They (the fans) cheered when the horses stepped on the track; they cheered when they (the horses) went to the gate; and they cheered at every quarter mile marker. I was so proud to be a part of this.”

Though McDermott’s prowess is training, occasionally he likes to take a seat behind a spirited steed and enjoy the thrill of competition.

“During 2005 I was carded to drive in the St. Paddy Pace but I didn’t get a chance when my horse was a late scratch,” McDermott said. “Now, since I won’t have any conflicts on St. Patrick’s Day I’m ready to have a little fun at Monticello.”

McDermott will join former winners Jimmy Marohn, Jimmy Marohn, Jr., John Gilmour and Mike Doherty in this year’s edition of the St. Paddy Pace. However, according to Eric Warner, the track’s director of racing, he will need eight drivers for a complete field.

Anyone of Irish extraction interested in competing can contact Warner in the race office at 845.794.4100, ext: 557. Or they can call the track’s publicity office at ext. 455.