by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — Like many who near a milestone and then seem to slump prior to accomplishing it, Kyle DiBenedetto rebounded from a fruitless Tuesday afternoon in the sulky on Wednesday (July 22) to score his 5,000th career driving victory when he guided Western Wild King to a 1:58.3 triumph in a $12,700 New York Sire Stakes late closer pace for sophomore colts and geldings at Monticello Raceway.

DiBenedetto ended last week needing four more wins for 5,000 and was anxious to get it all over with.

Geri Schwarz photo

Friends and family join in the winner’s circle ceremony after Kyle DiBenedetto scored his 5,000th victory.

He won the 10th and final race on the Sunday, July 19, program and though he only needed three more wins he was concerned that it might take a long time before he would score number 5,000.

But two wins came his way on Monday, June 20, and the following day, just one win shy of 5,000 victories, DiBenedetto had 11 chances on the Mighty M card to drive a winner but the milestone eluded him that afternoon.

However on Wednesday, DiBenedetto went into the annals of harness racing history as one of 70, or so, drivers with 5,000 career wins.

After he won number 5,000 with Western Wild King, DiBenedetto was presented with a blanket that spelled-out congratulations from Monticello Raceway in a winner’s circle ceremony.

Smiling from ear to ear and receiving congratulatory hugs from his wife, Robin, DiBenedetto was asked how he felt upon reaching 5,000 career wins.

“Wow, I’m glad it’s all over. I feel a lot better today than I did yesterday after getting blanked in 11 races,” he said.

Now en route to his next 5,000, DiBenedetto scored win number 5,001 when he guided Winbak Fox to a 1:58 victory in the 10th race on the Wednesday card.

Dead heat featured in one of five divisions of NYSS late closer paces

It may have been the slowest of the five $12,700 divisions of New York Sire Stakes late closing events for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings, but arguably it was the most thrilling when both Jazzmo and Allmyrowdyfriends hit the finish line simultaneously in a time of 1:59.1.

In the first race on the card both pacers came from behind at the top of the lane and collared the pacesetter Goodnite Goodluck (Bruce Aldrich, Jr.) in the final strides. Greg Merton drove Alan La Valley’s Dream Away-Morocka gelding Jazzmo, while Billy Dobson guided Bill Reepmeyer’s Allmyrowdyfriends, a son of Bettor’s Delight-Heatherjeankillian.

A second division saw Zeke Parker take no prisoners when he sent Dali Hanover down the road after leaving from post position five and they never had any serious challenges. The Art Major-Daisy Hanover gelding cruised to an easy 1-1/2 length triumph in a 1:58 clocking over LP’s Magic and driver Jimmy Marohn. I’mkindofabigdeal took home the show dough for driver Kyle DiBenedetto. The winner is owned by Howard Berke, Arthur Berke Estate, Jim Speiser and Bob Annunziata.

DiBenedetto’s 5,000th career driving victory came in the third NYSS late closer split when he guided Western Wild King to a 1:58.1 victory over That’s Just It, handled by Greg Merton. The betting favorite, Seafoodpaysthebill, could do no better than finish third for Brian Allen. The Riverboat King-Western Lady gelding is the property of Joe Meylan, Theresa Bantle and Eric Felter.

Howard Okusko, Jr. got in the winner’s circle in the fourth division when he guided Bet On Roulette to a two length triumph over Majors Best and Jordan Stratton in a time of 1:58. Who What finished third for Ron Turcotte, Jr. Bet On Roulette is owned by the Purple Haze Stables.

A final NYSS late closer saw Jordan Stratton rein Mr Artline to a come-from-behind, three length triumph in 1:58.3 over Sharp Shuttle and Zeke Parker who were on the front end until halfway down the stretch when Stratton’s pacer charged by. Rackateer and Brian Allen were third best in the mile. Mr Artline, an Art Major-Are You Sure colt, is owned by the Anatolla Racing Stable.