by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — When Monticello Raceway presents its 13th annual Passover Pace — the Race for the Matzos — on Thursday afternoon (April 21), two three-time race winners, Mike Kimelman and Alan Schwartz will go head to head in the eight-horse field.

But when Kimelman saw that he not only drew the longest shot in the race and that he also drew the seven hole, he remained philosophical despite the fact that Schwartz will handle the favorite in the race.

“Hey that’s the way it goes, but let me tell you I won a Passover Pace with a horse that paid $123 a few years ago. But if I win this one I’m betting my horse will pay more than that,” he said with a laugh. “I’ll just have to sit back and wait for the others to make some mistakes.”

Kimelman will drive 12-1 shot RH Bittersweet, the only horse in the race that is a non-winner this year. Schwartz, on the other hand, has the 5-2 favorite in Hoosier Cougar, a pacer he has won two races in a row with, the fastest a 2:00.3 triumph on April 6.

“And to add insult to injury Schwartz gets to drive his own horse,” Kimelman added with a chuckle. “But at least he drew the eight hole.”

But both Kimelman and Schwartz will have to be wary of Alan Charles, who copped last year’s Passover Pace. Charles drew the pole position with 7-2 rated Auditor N, who won a race two starts ago in 2:01.3.

However, none of the aforementioned can dismiss either Bob Krivelin or Dave Yarock.

Krivelin has 4-1 shot Whitaker Blue Chip and the two hole while Yarock will drive the 3-1 rated Ya Gotta Belief from post five. Both pacers have won a race this year but Whitaker Blue Chip has the fastest seasonal winning time among the starters with a 2:00.3 victory on March 29.

Though he is rated at morning odds of 10-1, Whitehall Hanover, who’ll be driven by Peter Kleinhans, appears better than the odds-maker’s rating. After all the pacer scored a nine length, 2:01.3 triumph two starts ago and was rallying in his last outing, only to make a break late in the mile. They’ll start from post six.

Also driving in the contest are Harness Eye editor Derick Giwner and former Passover Pace winner Mark Liebowitz. The former will handle 9-2 shot Hawaiian Hunk and leave from post four while the latter will have 8-1 shot Starfleet’s Fudge from the three hole.

“You know the more I look at this race the more even it seems to me,” said Eric Warner, the track’s director of racing. “I can find something decent about almost everyone in the race. Even Kimelman’s horse isn’t that bad when you consider his last few starts have been in the mud.”

The Passover Pace is slated as race number four on the 10-race Thursday card. First post will be at 12:50 p.m.