by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — In 1975, Monticello Raceway partnered with New York City OTB and presented the inaugural Monticello NYC-OTB Classic which was, at the time, the biggest purse race in the history of racing. The $250,000 purse was even larger than the Kentucky Derby’s purse and again the following season the Mighty M’s premier event was still the biggest purse in racing.

Now as part of the track’s 50th anniversary season, the track has resurrected the race and has named it just the Monticello OTB Classic, in honor of all the off track betting parlors that are such a boon to wagering. Instead of it being a New York-bred 3-year-old pace, it is now a world class event for older pacers.

And, to boot, the event carries a $10,000 bonus to the race’s winning trainer. And there’s also a $5,000 bonus for any pacer who breaks the track record of 1:51.4, which was set by Corey’s On Crombie in 2005.

And that mark is bound to fall with the talent that will be on the racetrack when two $25,000 eliminations go to post on Tuesday afternoon, July 17. There are slated as races six and eight on the 13-race card.

The first split features Haughton Pace winner Mr Big, who’ll be handled by David Miller. Miller guided the son of Grinfromeartoear to a 1:48.2 victory in the Haughton Final at the Meadowlands on July 7.

However, Mr Big will have some serious competition, especially since he’s moving over to a double oval. Miller will have to keep an eye out for Buckeye One (Tony Morgan), a 1:51.1 winner at Yonkers Raceway in his last start, and Maltese Artist (Brian Sears) also a 1:51 winner at Yonkers earlier this season.

An 11-time seasonal winner, the New York bred-Gimmebackmybullets will come into the contest off three consecutive victories, the latest a 1:51 effort on Saratoga Raceway’s double oval.

The second split will be just as fearsome when He Wants It All (Tony Morgan), Astronomical (Jody Jamieson), Total Truth (Ron Pierce) and Fox Valley Appeal (Brian Sears) locks horns.

Of the 17 pacers in the two elimination splits only the first four finishers in each division will be eligible to compete in the $480,000 Final which will go to post on Tuesday, July 24. That race will offer the largest purse ever at the Sullivan County oval.

First post on Tuesday, July 17 will be at 1:10 p.m.