by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — It takes more than luck to be successful at any endeavor. And those who are successful in their field usually possess a superior talent than those who are not.

Case in point: Stephane Bouchard.

One just has to go to the harness racing record books for the story. Bouchard is a superior harness driver. The records speak for themselves.

The Montreal native’s 656 winners during the 2003 campaign ranked him as the leading driver in North America. And during 2000 and 2001 he was runner-up in driving victories on the continent. Last year his 549 winners ranked him eighth and this year Bouchard, already with 375 driving victories, is eighth on the list and he is among the top five winningest drivers in North America since Y2K.

So with credentials like that, why did the betting public send his pacer Elite Passage off at odds of over 15-1 on Sunday (September 4) in Monticello Raceway’s Maple Leaf Pace, the final preliminary leg of the track’s year long Heritage Drivers Series?

It’s true that Bouchard had drawn — drivers were assigned by lot — a pacer who had but one fourth place finish in his last six starts, but the Stephane Bouchard-factor obviously was not considered.

The betting public wagered the most money on Jessie Will, driven by Terry Finch, but to many, the pacer was a false favorite. Most railbirds figured Goalie Prince, with John Gilmour at the controls, was the best in the race and the pacer might have been if he had a better journey. After all he came into the contest off a 2:00 wire-to-wire victory in his last outing.

After Karm Master N and driver Keith Haase had gained command at the quarter pole in :28.3, they forced Gilmour to take a seat with Goalie Prince and he found room third along the pylons. But at the half, clocked in 1:00, Gilmour fired Goalie Prince toward the lead, but the pacer never got around Karm Master N.

Meanwhile Bouchard and Elite Passage, tucked nicely in the fifth position, sat back and watched all the early action. In the final turn, with Goalie Prince and Karm Master N still racing head to head, each began to feel the sting of the quick early fractions and their strides began to shorten.

Like Captain Marvel, Stephane Bouchard came to the rescue, only he didn’t rescue anyone but the brave souls who wagered on his pacer. As the leaders tired, Elite Passage rallied to a three length victory in a time of 2:01.2 to give the smiling Canadian another victory — his 135th at the Mighty M this season. Spunky Bob, who was driven by Bruce Borden, came from the back of the pack to finish second and Goalie Prince, after his overland journey, ended up third best. Those who wagered on the Stephane Bouchard-driven Elite Passage were rewared with a $32.60 win payoff.

The Maple Leaf Pace was the eighth and final preliminary leg in Monticello Raceway’s Heritage Drivers Series. On a Sunday in early October — the date is yet to be determined — the eight drivers who reined a winner in each of the ethnic legs will come back to compete head-to-head in the series finale which will be dubbed “the All American Pace”. Should any of the winners not be available then the second place finisher will get the nod.

Mighty M Gaming at Monticello Raceway, located on Route 17B in Monticello, New York, features over 1,700 video gaming machines, the 350 seat Winner’s Circle Buffet, Mighty Mmmm Food Court and the 75 seat Lava Lounge with nightly entertainment. Mighty M Gaming is open from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. daily. For more information, please call toll free (866) 777-GAME.