by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — Darryl Thomas’ Whistle Bear has returned to last year’s form. The nine-time winner during the 2006 campaign scored his first victory of the new season when Yannick Gingras guided the Armbro Operative gelding to a gate-to-wire triumph in a time of 1:55.3 in Monticello Raceway’s weekly $15,000 Preferred Pace on Wednesday afternoon, January 17.

Just a $7,500 purchase in Canada last fall by Thomas, Whistle Bear obviously liked his new surroundings and reeled off seven victories in just 12 starts for his new connections, with five of those triumphs coming at the Mighty M last fall.

Racehorsephoto.com photo

Whistle Bear holds on for a 1:55.3 victory in the $15,000 Preferred Pace.

Whistle Bear’s victory came after two previous defeats against the best pacers on the grounds, though in his last start he lost in the final strides and finished second in a 1:55.1 clocking. However, the gelding returned to the winner’s circle and showed true grit by rebuffing a near mile-long eyeball to eyeball challenge by Shadows Best Buddy (Larry Stalbaum), who was once again parked the entire way.

With Shadows Best Buddy on the outside in post position eight, Gingras hustled Whistle Bear away from the gate from post five, but was stunned a bit by Matt Romano and Tricky Grin, who finally let Gingras and Whistle Bear take command after a swift :28 opening quarter.

Once on top Whistle Bear braced for Shadows Best Buddy and the two raced as a team past the half in :57.3 and were still side by side when the timer flashed 1:26 at the three-quarter pole. However, on the final turn, Whistle Bear drew off by two lengths and then held off a late charge by Tricky Grin, who enjoyed a two-hole pocket trip. Shadows Best Buddy, who hasn’t been down along the pylons in any of his last five starts, hung on gamely for third money.

Whistle Bear, trained by Sarita Mosher, paid just $3.40 for win.

The co-feature of the afternoon — a $12,500 winners over pace — saw Stephane Bouchard hustle the Tim Case-trained Thunder Bay to a gate-to-wire victory over How Forever Feels (Billy Parker, Jr.) in a 1:57 clocking.

Owned by Vip Internet Stable L.L.C. of Piscataway, N.J., Thunder Bay returned a $7.30 win mutuel.

However, arguably the biggest eye-opener of the day was the victory by Go For Diamonds N in the final race on the card.

With Billy “Zeke” Parker, Jr. in the pilot’s seat, the New Zealand-bred altered son of Go For Grins made up over four lengths in the homestretch to post a head victory in a time of 1:59.1.

Though Go For Diamonds N didn’t make the majority of the race fans happy, those who wagered on him jumped for joy when they received $90.50 for every $2 wager.

The pacer is owned by Bob Schreibeis of Florida, N.Y.