by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — Monticello Raceway’s 12th annual Passover Pace, for drivers of Jewish heritage, is set to go to post on Monday, April 5, and according to Eric Warner, the track’s director of racing, it’s a wide-open affair.

“Every horse in the race has a chance of winning and racing luck will probably determine the outcome,” Warner noted of this season’s “Race For The Matzohs.”

“Of course, like in nearly all races, having an inside post position is always a plus, but winners can come from any post position.”

It just so happens that the two drivers seeking the title of modern era “Ben Hur,” Alan Schwartz and Mike Kimelman, are neither inside nor outside.

Alan Schwartz, a three-time Passover Pace winner, will handle Steve Moore’s Elegy Hanover and will start from the three hole while Mike Kimelman, also with three Passover Pace victories to his credit, will start from post six with Ken Westerside’s Nan’s Ace.

Track odds-maker John Flynn has rated Nan’s Ace at 5-2 and Elegy Hanover at 12-1. But as Warner previously pointed out, this race can be won by any of the starting pacers.

Peter Kleinhans, making his Passover Pace debut, drew the coveted pole position but with a decided outsider, the 12-1 rated Time For Her Hero.

Second choice on the early line at 3-1 is In Concert, in rein to Mark Liebowitz. However, they drew bad and will have to start from the eight hole.

Warner thinks the sleeper in the race could be Gary Mattison’s Ms Denise, who’ll be driven by Derick Giwner, an amateur driver who is also the editor of the sport’s trade paper, Harness Eye.

But Warner warns to not overlook Odds On Angel who will have last year’s Passover Pace winner PJ Lutman III in the sulky.

“With a good trip he could be right there, too,” he said.

Other starters include #2-Cody Little Gal (6-1–Doug King) and #7-Donnina Hanover (9-2–-David Yarock).

Though every horse starting won in 2:00.3 or better last year, with six of them with records in the 1:59 range, all are non-winners thus far this year.

The “Race for the Matzohs” will be the sixth race on the 13-race card on Monday afternoon, April 5. First post is scheduled at 12:50 p.m. with the starting time for the Passover Pace at approximately 2:25 p.m.