by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — When Monticello Raceway presents its 11th annual St. Paddy Pace on Thursday (March 15) the Mighty M’s current leading drivers Jimmy Marohn, Jr. and Jimmy Taggart, Jr. will be among those vying for the trophy and the bottle of Bailey’s Irish Cream. Currently Marohn and Taggart are tied for the lead, each with 49 winners.

For Marohn, he’ll be seeking his second St. Paddy Pace victory, while Taggart will be looking for his first.

Also slated to have a mount in the event is John McDermott. McDermott, who campaigns a hard-hitting stable at the Meadowlands and Yonkers Raceway, is known mainly for his training prowess. However, McDermott is also a St. Paddy Pace winner, having driven Trotting Rabbit to victory in 2005.

And both Sean MacAleese and Cory Stratton have notified Director of Racing Eric Warner that they would also like to participate.

The St. Paddy Pace is the second leg of Monticello Raceway’s Heritage Drivers Series and although Warner has a good start on filling this season’s event he will still need a few more drivers of Irish heritage to have a full field.

Any driver of Irish extraction with a full or provisional license who is interested in competing in the St. Paddy Pace is urged to contact Warner in the race office at Monticello Raceway by calling 845.794.4100, ext. 557; or they can contact the track’s publicity office at ext. 455.