by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — Post positions for Monticello Raceway’s 11th annual Passover Pace were drawn on Friday, April 10, and the event, for drivers of Jewish heritage, will be the fourth race on the afternoon card of Wednesday, April 15, at the Catskills Mountain oval.

“We were hopeful that we’d be able to get enough horses for two divisions but unfortunately we couldn’t get two fields together,” noted Eric Warner, the track’s director of racing. “We had 19 guys who wanted to drive (in the Passover Pace) and to those who didn’t get a mount in the race we sincerely apologize.”

Of the eight drivers who “made the cut” so to speak, three had entered their own horses in the Passover Pace event. They included local horsemen Murray Bassin, James Shields and P.J. (Turick) Lutman.

Others who will be driving in the “Race for the Matzohs” on Wednesday include three-time Passover Pace winners Alan Schwartz and Mike Kimelman. Kimelman also doubles as President of Blue Chip Farms in Wallkill, N.Y.

Joining the aforementioned in the contest will be amateur driver Derick Giwner, the editor of the trade publication, Harness Eye, along with previous Passover Pace winners Bob Hechkoff and Mark Liebowitz.

The Passover Pace is the fourth leg of Monticello Raceway’s Heritage Drivers Series. It will be followed by the Maple Leaf Pace for drivers of Canadian heritage on May 18, the day in which our Canadian neighbors celebrate Victoria Day.