by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — Last Wednesday Northern Chief cruised to a new Monticello Raceway track record of 11 wins in a row despite the fact that in his last three starts he left from the eight hole twice and from the seven hole last week.

When the pacer seeks his 12th consecutive victory this Wednesday (Nov. 10) he’ll leave from the pole position and has been rated 8-5 on the morning line by the track’s oddsmaker, John Flynn. Back in the same class but against some new competition Northern Chief appears to be hard pressed to be upset and again driver Mike Merton feels that the old veteran pacer can win again.

“He (Northern Chief) is at the top of his game and this week we drew the rail so why wouldn’t I feel that we have a real good chance of winning again?” Merton said.

Last week, prior to Northern Chief’s attempt at a new consecutive win streak at Monticello Raceway, Merton not only talked about the possibility of establishing a new track record but he said that even though we have the seven hole I think we can win again.

“Many horsemen told me not to talk about winning because that’ll jinx you but to them I said I don’t believe in that,” Merton related.

And so much for the “jinx” of talking because on that day Northern Chief charged by the leaders up the backside and rambled to an easy nine length triumph in a 1:57.1 clocking for the new standard here.

On Wednesday all eyes will again be on the pacer who is owned by Bobby Merton, Jr. and Al Desimone and is trained by Gary Messenger. Merton and Northern Chief go to post in race number seven on the 13-race card that day.

First post is slated for 12:25 p.m. and the approximate seventh race post is at 2:15 p.m.