by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — During the 2007 campaign at Monticello Raceway tennis pro and avid harness horse owner Woody Hoblitzell of Destin, Fla., was named “Owner of the Year” at Monticello Raceway by the Monticello-Goshen Chapter USHWA.

A gentleman who lives and breathes harness racing is always watching his many horses competing at Monticello Raceway, either via the internet or on some racing channel.

Geri Schwarz photo

Roan Shark, with Mike Merton aboard, wins in 1:58.3 in his first outing for new owner Woody Hoblitzell.

“I never miss a race when my stock is in to go but the most thrilling thing for me is to have one of my horses win when I am actually at the track (Monticello) so I can get in the picture,” Hoblitzell related. “Unfortunately being so far away (in Florida) I get to Monticello only five or six times a year.”

He is a sportsman, and invested plenty of money to have one of his horses operated on a few years ago and through the grace of a higher being the trotter made it back to the races after losing a good portion of his intestines.

Entrusting his stock to veteran trainer Bruce Aldrich Sr., Hoblitzell is always on the lookout to purchase a horse of his liking.

Aldrich’s wife, Maureen, who is highly involved in the day-to-day operation of their stable, told Woody that they need another gray horse, or as she put it: “I love gray horses.”

So what does Hoblitzell do? He and Bruce Sr. search the many race programs and find a gray-colored pacer named Roan Shark, who was racing at Harrah’s Chester, and made a deal to purchase the 4-year-old Admirals Galley sidewheeler.

After claiming ownership Roan Shark was off to the Mighty M and once again delegated to the Bruce Aldrich, Sr. barn.

And it appears Hoblitzell made a pretty good purchase.

In Roan Shark’s first Monticello Raceway start on May 7 the pacer scored an easy seven length triumph in a time of 1:58.3 for driver Mike Merton. And, as usual, Hoblitzell was on the other end of a video transmission.

Though he couldn’t be reached for a comment from this office, Maureen Aldrich said, “Woody was beaming and really proud of his new horse. I told him now we have to get a chestnut horse; they’re so beautiful, too.”