by John Manzi, for the Delvin Miller Amateur Drivers’ Association

Monticello, NY — With the popularity of women’s golf, woman’s soccer and women’s boxing, an effort is currently being made to further women’s harness racing.

Last year a series named for Mildred Williams, a winner of over 500 races and a pioneer in getting the United States and Canadian Trotting Associations to license women drivers, met with such good success in Canada that the series will branch out to include the United States this year.

According to Ann Curran, the organizer of the event, the Mildred Williams Lady Driving Series is somewhat similar to the CKG Billings Amateur Driving Classic with the major difference is that it is for fully licensed women only.

“There are no minimum participation requirements and no entry fees and we use a point system similar to the Billings,” said Curran. The Mildred Williams Series is meant to provide opportunity, encourage participation and provide marketing opportunities to try to reach the missing demographic of women as race fans.”

Last season many of the women-only races were used as a marketing tool to raise money for breast cancer research. In fact, the last race of the inaugural series — at Kawartha Downs, won by Joey Ayotte — saw an excess of C$12,000 donated to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. Ayotte donated her winnings and many race fans dipped into their own pockets.

“With the success of last season’s series we thought it only natural to expand it to include the United States and my first reaction along those lines was to contact John Manzi at Monticello Raceway, who has been very helpful in us securing some American racetracks who are willing to sponsor an event,” Curran added.

“Monticello Raceway was the first to jump on board and now we have confirmations from Tioga Downs, Vernon Downs and Pocono Downs and the people from Northfield Park, Yonkers Raceway, Freehold Raceway, Buffalo Raceway and Batavia Downs have also expressed interest but have yet to finalize dates.”

According to Curran the Series is slated to kick-off in Canada in mid-April then move to the United States in May. Currently the following U.S. dates are already scheduled: Vernon Downs on May 12, Toga Downs on May 13, Monticello Raceway on May 14 and Pocono Downs on May 15.

If any racetrack is interested in sponsoring a leg, or if any women would like to participate in the Series, they are urged to contact Ann Curran at (613) 284-9882.