by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — For six previous years Monticello Raceway “women’s only race,” dubbed the Lady Godiva Pace, not only offered the gentler sex an opportunity to drive harness horses but it also showcased the talents of the competing women.

However, this year’s contest will have an added meaning since the event is now part of the Mildred Williams Driving Series where all participants donate their driving percentages to a charitable organization.

Monticello Raceway photo

Maureen Flynn, the track’s Director of Pari-Mutuels and Simulcasting, presented Godiva Chocolates to last year’s winner Betsy Phillips.

In the sixth race on Tuesday afternoon, February 17, when the eight ladies line up behind the mobile starting gate for the Lady Godiva Pace they will be raising money for the American Heart Association.

“Since more women die of heart disease than any other illness the ladies thought the (American) Heart Association would be the one to which they would like to donate,” noted Shawn Wiles, Assistant General Manager of the Mighty M.

Thus Lady Godiva Pace VII will mark only the eighth time in the track’s 50–year history that a race was specifically for women drivers. Besides the past Lady Godiva events, last season Monticello Raceway hosted a leg of the Mildred Williams Series when founder Ann Curran expanded her Canadian competition to include women from the United States. And the Mighty M will host another Mildred Williams Series leg later this season.

Among the talented women competing are three former Lady Godiva Pace winners, Jody Riedel, Terry Donnelly and Betsy Phillips.

Riedel, who won the 2003 and 2006 events has drawn William Mintz’s Katy’s Finale (10-1) and will start from post position five. Donnelly, a veteran of the C.K.G. Billings Amateur Drivers Series, and the 2004 Lady Godiva Pace winner, has drawn William Hinckley’s On Fantasy Island (7-2) and will start from the two hole. Phillips, one of the top women drivers in North America with over 565 wins, will handle Amy Senkiew’s Mane Sail (12-1) and leave from post position four. Phillips won last year’s Lady Godiva Pace with Dryad Hanover who returned a whopping $62.00 win payoff.

Many drivers have come from far and wide to compete in the race this year. Mary Birkhold, who’ll drive Megan Gilmour’s Raiders Sweetheart (4-1) will be flying in from Sarasota, Florida just for the event. And Sally Rawlings, who’ll drive the six horse, John Dwyer’s J L Lucy, will be coming in from McKenney, Virginia.

Doreen Dailey and Stacy Chiodo are both coming up from Freehold Raceway for the competition. The former will drive Bali Mystic N (3-1), who is owned by Ken Clairmont and Lucia Les, and they’ll start from the coveted pole position while the latter will handle Bruce Aldrich, Jr.’s In Dire Need and race away from post position eight.

Local gal Jennifer Lappe will be aboard the morning line favorite, PB Racing Stables’ Art’s Investment (5-2). They’ll start from post position seven.

“Despite the wide range in morning line odds the race still figures to be a wide open affair and the horse that gets the best journey will probably be the winner,” noted the track’s Director of Racing Eric Warner, who then added, “More longshots have won this race than favorites have.”

Post time for the 13-race card on February 17 will be at 12:40 p.m.