by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — Who’ll win Monticello Raceway’s ‘Race for the Matzos’ on Thursday afternoon (March 28)? Also known as the Passover Pace, the event for drivers of Jewish heritage will be the third leg of the track’s Heritage Drivers Series 2013 and comes on the heels of the St. Paddy Pace which was presented on March 13.

The Passover Pace race date varies annually depending on when the Passover holiday begins. This year the holiday starts at sundown on March 25 and continues for eight days, many of which are holy days.

“So in order not to ask any of the participants to drive on a holy day we have scheduled this year’s race on March 28, a date we were told that would not put any of the drivers in jeopardy (if they decided to compete) and a date on which the religious order can come to cheer their favorites,” noted Shawn Wiles, the track’s general manager.

Last year, for only the second time since its inaugural in 1999, the ‘Race for the Matzos’ happened to be a trot when not enough pacers were entered for the event. And for the second time in the past three years, Alan Charles won the contest when he guided Digital Photo to a 2:05.2 victory over Four Starz Ransom and driver Alan Schwartz.

“This race may be a little unusual, but believe it or not those who compete annually in our Passover Pace have been calling to make sure that we are doing it again this year,” Wiles added.

Charles is set and ready to defend his title and ready, too, is three-time Passover Pace winner Alan Schwartz. Unfortunately, Schwartz’s nemesis (and good friend) Mike Kimelman, also a three-time Passover Pace champion, will not be able to compete this year because he and his family will be vacationing during the time the event is to be raced.

The Passover Pace is open to any licensed harness driver of Jewish heritage who holds a full (A) or a provisional (P) license from the United States (or Canadian) Trotting Association.

For further information, please contact Warner in the racing office at 845.794.4100, ext. 557; or call the track’s publicity department at ext. 455.