by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — Jimmy Marohn may not be the winningest driver of Irish descent but with 4,962 victories to his credit he’s surely among them.

On St. Patrick’s Day, Monday, March 17, Marohn will be one of eight reinsmen who will compete in Monticello Raceway’s seventh annual St. Paddy Pace, a race which features the talents of drivers of Irish heritage.

Marohn, who won the 2006 St. Paddy Pace with Fly With Action in 2:00.2, will be joined by another former St. Paddy Pace winner in John Gilmour (Irish Lad–2:00.3 during 2003). Gilmour is a winner of 4,441 races during an illustrious career which included nine driving championships at the Mighty M.

“Having two drivers whose combined career wins total over 9,400 races can’t be a bad thing for our event,” said Director of Racing Eric Warner, who has the responsibility of filling the St. Paddy Pace with all drivers of Irish lineage. “Gilmour is a legend in these parts and Marohn is still among the leading drivers here.”

After Marohn established himself as a premier driver at the Mighty M in the mid-1970s he moved on to Yonkers Raceway where, for decades, he was among the leading drivers at the Hilltop oval.

During the 1982 campaign Marohn’s 262 winners were 17th best in North America and the following year his 242 wins ranked him 22nd on the N.A. leaderboard. Marohn also enjoyed national ranking in 1990 (17th-334 wins) and 1991 (25th-285 wins).

However, arguably “the Mighty Mite’s” most cherished victory came in 1981 when he guided longshot Wildwood Jeb to a 1:58.1 victory in the prestigious Cane Pace, one of Pacing’s Triple Crown events.

Also no stranger to the winner’s circle is John Gilmour, who was the Mighty M’s perennial leading driver in the 1970s and early 1980s.

Affectionately known as “Sep” around the backstretch, John is one of the famous Gilmour brothers who account for more than 14,000 driving victories. Monticello Raceway has been John’s home since the mid 1960s, although he began his career at Buffalo Raceway and Batavia Downs, two tracks near his hometown of Lucan, Ontario.

Although Gilmour started out slowly at the Mighty M, once local trainers got a glimpse of his abilities he became one of the most sought after catch drivers. However it wasn’t until 1973 that Gilmour copped his first driving title, but from then on until the early 1980s Gilmour’s name was on or near the top in the drivers’ standings every season.

“While we have a good nucleus we still need more drivers of Irish descent to fill the race on St. Patrick’s Day,” Warner said and then added “any driver who fits the criteria and is interested in competing can contact me in the race office by calling (845) 794-4100, ex: 455.”