by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — Last year Monticello Raceway pioneered a day where all races were driven by amateur drivers. Dubbed All-Amateur Day, the afternoon race card was well received. This year a second All-Amateur Day will be presented on the added Friday program of July 13 and again all races will be driven by amateur drivers.

“We weren’t slated to race on that Friday, but we added the date so we could be part of the Back to the Track national harness racing promotional weekend,” noted raceway GM Shawn Wiles.

Although not an uncommon event in other countries, each of the pari-mutuel races on that afternoon card will feature some of the best and most experienced amateur drivers in North America.

Joe Faraldo, along with Bob Krivelin and Alan Schwartz, are organizing this year’s events which will again include a division or two of the Billings Harness Driving Championship.

Besides Krivelin (132 wins), Schwartz (480) and Faraldo (135), also slated to drive on All-Amateur Day are Kelly Walker (62), Steve Oldford (60), Tony Verruso (42), Peter Gerry (79), Bob Hechkoff (34), Dave Offenberg (35), George Bonomo (32), Vladimir Melnichenko (31), Dave Yarock (34), Bob Troyer (63), Gerry Fielding (61), John Campagnuolo (30), Joe Pennacchio (128), Scott Woogen (105), Michelle Ruvola (33) and Terry Donnelly (18).

“We currently have 19 outstanding amateurs who are set for the competitions on July 13 but we’d still like to get one more,” noted Joe Faraldo, a longtime amateur driver and president of the North American Amateur Drivers Association.

The combined win total of the competing amateurs is currently 1,514 with Alan Schwartz’s 480 leading the way.

“All drivers are putting up $1,000, which will supplement the purses and guarantee them each four drives,” Faraldo noted. “They will also get a voyage on Thursday (July 12) around Manhattan — with dinner included — on the World Yacht which will make a stop at the Statue of Liberty before returning to port on New York City’s lower west side.

“And after the races on Friday the group will be invited for dinner at the Old Homestead Restaurant in nearby Bridgeville, N.Y.”

According to Faraldo, two sportsmen, Ebby Gerry, Jr. and Malvern Burroughs, have also donated to All-Amateur Day. Hall of Famer Ebby Gerry, Jr. is the president of the Harness Racing Museum and Malvern Burrough is one of only two amateur drivers to ever win the famed Hambletonian.

Any amateur driver with a full or provisional license that is interested in joining the others on All-Amateur Day is urged to contact Faraldo at faral@thorn.net or call him at 718.544.6800.

Post time for the July 13 card will be at 12:50 p.m.