by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — According to the rules and regulations set forth by the United States Trotting Association, the governing body of the Standardbred sport, less than two percent of all horses racing are 14-year-olds and when they become 15 years of age on New Year’s Day they can no longer compete regularly in pari-mutuel races.

In what was believed to be an industry first, Monticello Raceway presented a race that was called the “Au Revior Pace” — strictly for 14-year-olds — and presented it on New Year’s Eve Day, December 31, 1991, which turned out to be a great attraction. That contest was won by a pacer named Searights, who was driven to a 2:04 victory by Kyle DiBenedetto.

On December 29, 2005, Monticello Raceway hosted yet another race strictly for 14-year-old pacers in which the New Zealand- bred Try Kacy N emerged victorious for driver Jimmy Taggart, Jr. in a 2:03.4 mile.

However, the 2005 Au Revoir Pace marked only the second time that the Mighty M could get a field of 14-year-olds together since the inaugural event during the 1991 season.

“But that wasn’t because of a lack of effort,” said Eric Warner, Monticello Raceway’s Director of Racing. “Each year since 1991 we have tried to fill the 14-year-old race, but without success. The hard part is, and has always been, being able to find enough of those old-timers who are still racing this late in the season.”

Though the Mighty M didn’t get a field of 14-years-olds together for a race in 2004, they did, however, have a match race between two outstanding old timers — $412,000 career winner The Suleiman N and Troy D, a winner of over $372,000.

The two classy old veterans, who had to hang up their racing shoes the following day, produced a very enjoyable contest which nearly ended in a dead heat. In that event, which was a betting race, The Suleiman N, driven by Billy Parker, Jr., turned back Troy D, handled by Todd Frocione, by just a head in an exciting stretch duel in a mile that was timed in 2:02.4.

Again this season Monticello Raceway will try to present another race strictly for 14-years-olds, which, if it fills, will be raced on Monday afternoon, December 31, the final day of the Mighty M’s 2007 campaign.

“The race will be open to both trotters and pacers,” Warner added. “In fact, in the first Au Revoir Pace, the New York State Racing and Wagering Board allowed that race to go with six pacers and one trotter and I assume if it comes down to not getting enough pacers again this year that the Racing Board will let us go with a mixed field again.”

Anyone with a 14-year-old pacer who’d like to have their horse race one final time before it becomes ineligible can contact Warner in the racing office by calling (845) 794-4100, ext. 557, or they can contact the track’s publicity office at ext. 455.