by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — She was more than a useful mare in her youth, with career earnings of more than $300,000, but even now at 8 years of age Tracys Song is making waves.

Currently, her 11 seasonal wins ties her for the lead in races won in North America and on Monday afternoon (April 15) the daughter of Astreos will look to extend her streak of 11 consecutive victories.

Geri Schwarz photo

Tracys Song has won 11 consecutive races in 2013.

However, her objective may be somewhat daunting because she’ll have to start from the eight hole in race 10 and although she’ll carry her usual $7,500 claiming tag her efforts will come following a week layoff.

“She’s been racing real hard and it was starting to show,” said Bob Lounsbury, her trainer. “She hasn’t been finishing as strong in her recent races as she was earlier in the season. So we turned her out for a week and let her run and relax for a bit.”

The mare, who is driven by Bruce Aldrich, Jr., has won nearly all of her races on the front end and having to start from the eight hole and being off a week may hamper her chances on continuing the win skein.

“We may have trouble or we may overcome it,” Lounsbury reasoned. “We’ll just have to wait to see what happens.”

Win or lose, Tracys Song certainly has nothing to be ashamed of. A $4,000 purchase by Nancy Fugere on Lounsbury’s recommendation earlier this year, she has more than lived up to expectations and has paid for herself five times over.

Should Tracys Song keep her win streak alive, she’ll still have a hill to climb before she equals the Mighty M track record of 15 wins in a row, set by Northern Chief and driver Mike Merton during the 2010 campaign.

“We’ll just have to take it a race at a time, what else can be said?,” Lounsbury added.

On the Mighty M Monday card of April 15, Tracys Song, even starting from the eight hole and being off a week, rates the favorite’s role at 5-2.

Post time for that 12-race card will be at the usual 12:50 p.m.