Monticello Raceway’s Battle of the Braintrusts II is set to go to post on Monday, August 16 with five executives ready to rumble.
The driving line-up has changed because John Hensley, vice president of racing at Dover Downs, has business commitments which will not allow him to travel north to participate in the event. However, he will be replaced by Larry Roman, the CEO of WDF Green.
Roman is no stranger to Monticello Raceway fans, since for the past 15 years he has been the sponsor and emcee of the track’s Ms. Monticello Raceway Beauty Pageant. Besides having owned harness horses for decades, many of whom competed at the 'Mighty M,' Roman also has driving experience and years ago competed in the Billings Amateur Driving Series.
In 1993, Roman drove a trotter by the name of Mincemeat to a 1:59:2 triumph at Monticello in a Billings contest which was a then track record.
“I love the game but never drove much,” Roman admitted. “When [Monticello PR man John Manzi] said he needed another driver for his race he asked me if I would want to drive to which I said unequivocally replied.. YES!"
Roman now joins Shawn Wiles, Monticello Raceway’s Assistant General manager; Jason Settlemoir, Vice President of Racing at both Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs, Vic Harrison, Executive Secretary of the Virginia Racing Commission and Doug Solomon, the Chief of Police in Monticello, NY.
The second Battle of the Braintrusts will be also be a non-wagering event and presented between the sixth and seventh races on the 12-race card. The executives' competition will be shown over the raceway's simulcasting networks.
For safety sake, the participants will compete in jog carts without the use of whips and of course race over the usual mile distance. Post positions and driving assignment in the 'battle' were drawn by lot.
First-race post time on Monday will be 12:50 p.m.
(With files from Monticello)