by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — There’s little doubt that Randy Ingrassia’s pacer Mystical Tenor is currently at the top of his game. On Tuesday, March 4, Mystical Tenor wasn’t the least bit impaired by the falling rain nor the blustery winds when Stephane Bouchard guided him to his third consecutive victory and fourth in nine seasonal starts at Monticello Raceway.

After a slow start this season the 6-year-old Art’s Conquest gelding got his act together and scored a 1:57.4 victory in the Mighty M pacing feature that day, a time that equaled the pacer’s best thus far this year.

Racehorsephoto.com photo

Mystical Tenor, with Stephane Bouchard aboard, went another big trip in the mud.

“He (Mystical Tenor) was racing fairly well in January but since there have been plenty of rainy days and soft racetracks he seems to move up in the mud,” trainer Ron Ingrassia said after his pacer’s victory. “He was real gritty today and he went a big trip (after) starting from the seven hole and racing on the limb from the three-eighths and still having a kick at the end to win it all. Keep those rains coming!”

Despite the fact that Mystical Tenor came into the contest off two consecutive victories, the betting public wasn’t convinced the pacer could do it again and sent him off at odds of over 10-1.

Previously Mike Forte had been the tail-setter behind Ingrassia’s pacer but another mount in the race for Forte necessitated a driver change and Stephane Bouchard got the call.

And Bouchard delivered.

After getting away slowly, some eight lengths behind at the quarter pole, Bouchard angled Mystical Tenor to the outside at the three-eighths pole and took advantage of the cover provided by Greg Merton and Southbound Trucker.

Still sixth at the half and fourth at the three-quarters when Bouchard moved three deep off the final turn, Mystical Tenor dug in and wore down Southbound Trucker in the final strides for a head victory. My Mate Larry, driven by Mike Merton, took home the show dough.

Those who had faith in Mystical Tenor were rewarded with a $22.80 win payoff.