by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — When Monticello Raceway presents the Maple Leaf Pace, the final leg of its Heritage Drivers Series on Monday (Oct. 22), Stephane Bouchard will headline the event which will feature drivers of Canadian descent.

Bouchard, 45, was the leading driver in North America during the 2003 campaign and his 814 wins during the 2007 season ranked him third behind Tim Tetrick and Tony Morgan. Currently the transplanted Canadian — he now lives in Goshen, N.Y. — will bring with him 7,691 career driving victories.

“We are real pleased that Stephane has agreed to participate again in our Maple Leaf Pace,” noted Eric Warner, the track’s Director of Racing. “Actually, Stephane won this race in 2005 and again in 2009.”

Bouchard has been a driving champion at the Mighty M and in 2005 he became the first driver whose horses earned more than $1 million in purses competing over the Catskill Mountain oval. The following year Stephane’s 410 driving victories was tops in that department as was his .371 UDR in the percentage ranks. And Bouchard set a standard in purse earnings here that could possibly take years to equal when the horses he drove earned purses of $2,747,822 at the Mighty M alone.

After spending his formative years plying his trade in Canada, the Montreal, Quebec, native chose the metropolitan New York-area to set down roots. After only 1-1/2 years at Yonkers Raceway, Bouchard became the top reinsman in the Hilltop oval’s driving colony and he has dominated the driver’s standings at Yonkers many times since.

Also slated to compete in the Maple Leaf Pace are John Gilmour, Jimmy Devaux, Jacques Primeau, Keith Haase and Terry Finch.

“But we still need a few more drivers of Canadian descent to get eight betting interests,” Warner added.

Anyone with Canadian heritage who is interested in competing in the Maple Leaf Pace is urged to contact Warner in the racing office at 845.794.4100, ext. 557 or they can call the track’s publicity office at ext. 455.