by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — If a racetrack runs a promotion for over 20 years and only five times did it actually come to fruition, would one think that all efforts are, and were, for naught? Granted some would say yes unless they actually knew what the promotion was.

The promo referred to is Monticello Raceway’s Au Revior, a final race for 14-year–old horses which annually is presented on the last, or next to last day, of the year when a calendar change to January would add another year to each participants’ age and then render them ineligible to keep racing.

Unashamedly, since the initial Au Revoir in 1991, only four other races for the equine senior citizens were presented and if one takes into account the 14-year-old match race in 2004 between The Suleiman N and Troy D, the total is still only five.

After Searights won the first Au Revoir in 1991 in 2:04, 13 years passed before the match race pitted the 14-year-old pair against each other in a betting race where The Suleiman N and Zeke Parker nosed out Troy D and Todd Frocione in a time of 2:02.4.

The following year (2005) the event filled again and Try Kacy N scored for Jimmy Taggart, Jr. in 2:03.4.

Next presentation was in 2009 when Satin Time N went out a winner in a 1:59.3 clocking. And last season Sinbad and Jimmy Marohn, Jr. smoked to an easy 1:58.4 victory, which is the race’s standard.

David Carr of the United States Trotting Association has again graciously supplied a list of 14-year-olds who are still racing, or have raced, during 2011.

“We carefully studied the 26 pacers and the 17 trotters who raced this year and as far as we can tell only as handful are still racing in December,” noted Eric Warner, the track’s director of racing. “And of those numbers it appears that only four trotters and four pacers are still currently in action.

“Monticello Raceway has had a few 14-year-olds race here this season but none are still around and it’s beginning to appear that 2011 may be another miss for the Mighty M,” Warner added, somewhat dejectedly. “But we will still keep on trying to get enough 14-year-olds to fill a race.”

In the past the New York State Racing and Wagering Board has allowed Monticello Raceway to have both trotters and pacers in the Au Revoir and there’s a good chance that they will again.

At this critical point in time only Dick Robertson, Jr. said that he will enter his trotter, All Action Son N, in the Au Revoir.

“It’s a starting point but we’re still a long way from home,” Warner said.

This year the raceway is offering a $7,500 purse for its Au Revoir which will be raced on Thursday (Dec. 29). the final day of the Mighty M’s 2011 season.

Anyone owning a 14-year-old trotter or pacer who would like to have their horse compete in an Au Revior Race at Monticello Raceway on Dec. 29 is urged to contact Warner at 845.794.4100, ext. 557, or the raceway’s publicity department at ext 455.