by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — Last year Monticello Raceway introduced its Junior Free For All around the Father’s Day holiday. It was a race for drivers whose fathers are, or were, harness horsemen and who bear their dad’s name with junior added at the end to differentiate them from their pop.

Again this year the Mighty M will card another Junior Free For All which will be presented on Monday (June 17), again one day after the national holiday which honors fathers because Monticello Raceway is dark on Sundays.

“We have a few Juniors racing regularly with us and some are among our leading drivers,” noted Eric Warner, the track’s director of racing. “If we can get a few more from nearby racetracks we will be able to fill the event.”

Warner is referring to Billy Parker, Jr., Bruce Aldrich, Jr., Jimmy Taggart, Jr. and Jimmy Marohn, Jr., all of whom are outstanding drivers and proud to be juniors.

“Don’t forget Greg Decker, Jr.,” chirped Warner. “He won our first Junior Free For All last year.”

Warner proved this race could be filled as he did last season and is hoping to do again this year.

Warner is now searching for drivers with an “A” or “P” USTA license who carry junior after their last names. Anyone fitting the criteria who may be interested in competing in the Junior Free For All is urged to call Warner in the race office at 845.794.4100, ext. 557. Or they can contact the track’s publicity office at ext. 455.