by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — When Monticello Raceway first formulated a betting race strictly for women drivers during 2003, which has become known as the Lady Godiva Pace, the toughest part of the endeavor was to get enough drivers to fill the race.

Now, as the seventh edition of the event is readying for another competition, the availability of women drivers is no longer a problem, especially since Lady Godiva Pace VII is now affiliated with and a part of Ann Curran’s Mildred Williams Women’s Driving Series.

“Oh we still have a problem of sorts,” notes Eric Warner, Monticello Raceway’s Director of Racing. “Now we have more ladies interested in driving than we have horses for them to drive. If we could get enough horses we would go with two divisions, but I’m afraid that we’ll only have one event, and that being the case some of the aspiring contestants will not have a mount. If it turns out to be only one race, to those who won’t be able to participate I apologize to in advance.”

According to Warner, definite starters in this year’s contest figure to be former Lady Godiva Pace winners Betsy Phillips (2008), Devan Miller (2007), Jody Riedel (2003 and 2006) and Terry Donnelly (2004).

However, Warner has a pool of ladies, many from the Mildred Williams Series, who are interested in driving in this year’s Lady Godiva Pace on February 17. Among them is Stacy Chiodo, who finished third in last year’s Lady Godiva Pace.

Two years ago Chiodo established a record for the fastest mile ever driven by a female on a five-eighths-mile oval when she won with Mighty Young Joe in 1:51.4 at Pocono Downs, a mark which erased the former standard of 1:52.4 set the previous year by Leah Vandervort after she guided her own Miss Tally Ho to victory, also at Pocono Downs. Chiodo is also a member of the MWS and she won the final event in that competition last year.

Others interested in competing this year include Mary Birkhold, Jennifer Lappe, Megan Fortna, Whitney Goodblood, Sally Rawlings, Amy Haley, Tabitha Zombick, and Doreen Dailey.

The Lady Godiva Pace, usually raced on Valentines Day (thus Godiva Chocolates as a presentation) will be the sixth race on Tuesday, February 17.

“Since Monticello (Raceway) isn’t racing on Valentine’s Day, Saturday, February 14, our next program here isn’t until Tuesday, February 17 and that’s why we have scheduled this year’s Lady Godiva Pace on that date,” Warner added.