by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — There are some who are hard to beat here at Monticello Raceway; two are horses and the other is driver Bruce Aldrich Jr.

On Monday afternoon (Sept. 15), Shortest Distance notched her 20th seasonal victory and Diamond Tiara racked up win number 19, and leading driver Bruce Aldrich, Jr. reined five winners on the 10 race card and continues to lead the driving colony in victories.

Geri Schwarz photo

Shortest Distance won for the 20th time in 2014.

The veteran pacing mare Shortest Distance seems nearly impossible to beat in the $7,500 claiming ranks and she continues to lead all Standardbreds in wins in North America this season.

Her victory on Monday was a cake walk for the 9-year-old Park Place mare when Bruce Aldrich, Jr. sent her to the front even though Shortest Distance had to pace a swift :27.1 first quarter to gain command.

But once on the engine Aldrich got her to the halfway point :57.2 and from there Shortest Distance cruised to an easy five length triumph in a time of 1:55.4. Latin Lyric (Jimmy Devaux), who forced Shortest Distance to pace that :27.1 first quarter, finished second.

“She’s about as tough as they come,” Aldrich said of Shortest Distance. “Now we have our sights set on the (Monticello) track record of 22 wins and if she stays sound we have a chance at that (mark).”

Aldrich referenced the 22 wins complied here by Golden Storm GB back in 1985 and although a few have come close no one has beaten it, yet.

But Shortest Distance isn’t the only one chasing the Mighty M track record for victories. Add to the list Diamond Tiara, who was nearly unbeatable earlier this season.

On Monday afternoon the 7-year-old McArdle pacing mare visited the winner’s circle for the 19th time this year, but under unusual circumstances this time. She made it there via a disqualification.

Actually, after being roughed-up during the first quarter, Diamond Tiara and driver Jimmy Taggart, Jr. gained control and led the field all the way to the top of the stretch where it appeared that she would once again go on to victory.

However, with the field tightly bunched coming off the final turn, Jimmy Marohn Jr. slipped 25-1 shot Machs Little Filly up the inside and in the lane they paced on to a one length, 1:57.4 triumph over Diamond Tiara.

But immediately after the finish the judges flashed the inquiry sign on the tote board and upon careful and lengthy review it was deemed that Machs Little Filly went inside three pylons at the head of the lane and because of that she was placed second and Diamond Tiara had her 19th seasonal victory.

She, like Shortest Distance, has been claimed four times thus far this year and now Diamond Tiara is back in the Mike Watson stable.

Aldrich’s five winners on the Monday card give him 415 for the year, good for sixth place on the North American driver leaderboard.