by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway
Monticello, NY — It’ll be a long time before there will ever be a better match race than Monticello Raceway’s “Clash of the Senior Titans”.
On Thursday, December 30, with the sun shining brightly and the temperature hovering around 50 degrees, Christopher Berke and Leah Schifano’s The Suleiman N defeated Lon Frocione’s Troy D, but just barely.
It took a photo to separate the two old warriors and when the judges declared the race official, The New Zealand import had bested the American bred pacer by just a nose in a time of 2:02.4.
Sent off at odds of 1-5, The Suleiman N paid $2.50 for win.
Billy “Zeke” Parker, Jr. drove The Suleiman N, a lifetime winner of $412,000, and Todd Frocione was in the sulky behind the $371,000 winner, Troy D.
Troy D started from the pylon position but The Suleiman N, from the two hole, gained command before the first turn. Once in front Parker let The Suleiman N ramble and Frocione and Troy D were content to let Parker cut the fractions.
The Suleiman N passed the quarter pole in :30.1 and was a length on top at the half-mile marker in 1:01.3. When Parker passed the three-quarters in 1:32.4 he began to tap his charge and The Suleiman N drew off by three lengths in the final turn. They still had three as they straightened away for the stretch drive and Parker braced for the late charge from Troy D.
And it came.
Frocione got his pacer in high gear at the top of the stretch and was gaining with every stride as the two old warriors approached the finish line. Parker was all-out urging The Suleiman N as Troy D rallied. But the wire came up too fast for Frocione and Troy D was a long nose short at the finish. Had they gone another 20 feet the results would have been reversed.
“This was his (The Suleiman N’s) 36th start this year and lately he’s been trailing off a bit at the end of the mile so I figured I better get some real estate in the last turn because I knew Frocione’s horse is a good closer and he’d be coming,” Parker told the reporters in the winner’s circle after their victory. “And it’s a good thing I did or we’da been beat.”
The two old warriors both came to the winner’s circle for the trophy presentations and were joined by their connections. Everyone was happy — even the group that finished second.
“I thought I was going to catch him (The Suleiman N) but we came up a bit short,” Todd Frocione said. “Still it was a lot of fun and a great way for two grand old pacers to end their careers.”
“This (race) was great,” echoed co-owner Chris Berke after receiving the winner’s trophy. “I’m happy we won but I’m glad it’s over now. I’ve been a wreck all day. They (both horses) were so well matched and it’s just bad that someone had to lose.”
Both old warriors will now enjoy a life of leisure. Frocione has found a fine home for Troy D and Berke will keep The Suleiman N on his farm and let the old guy relax for as long as he may live.