On Monday afternoon, August 16, Monticello Raceway presented its second Battle of the Braintrusts, a non-wagering race with the horses driven by executives
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At the lines were Shawn Wiles, Monticello Raceway’s Assistant General Manager; Jason Settlemoir, the VP of Racing at Tioga and Vernon Downs; Vic Harrison, the executive secretary of the Virginia Racing Commission; and Larry Roman, the CEO of WDF Green. Monticello, New York’s Chief of Police, Doug Solomon, who had a mount in the race, had injured his shoulder and unfortunately was a late scratch.
Anticipation grew as the betting races were held up for a short while due to a tremendous, but short-lived storm. When the weather cleared action was resumed.
The hold-up probably made the participating executives a little itchy but when they got out on the track they performed admirably. And considering Larry Roman won the race it would be hard not to say that his performance was the best.
However, when the race started the chances of Roman winning “the Battle” looked bleak. He had a nice horse in Big John B, but he spotted the other three starters some 15 lengths as the wings of mobile starting folded and by the time the others reached the quarter pole, Roman was still some 10 lengths off the leader.
Jason Settlemoir and Time Slips Away led the pack to the quarter in a soft :34 seconds with Shawn Wiles and General Maximus N tucked in tightly behind the leader. Vic Harrison and Game Rudy were third at this point some five lengths behind Wiles’ pacer with Roman making up ground and moving directly behind Harrison’s steed.
As the field came off the paddock turn and headed for the halfway point, Roman was out and going with Big John B and by the time the field reached the half mile pole Roman and Settlemoir were side by side as the timer tripped 1:10.2.
The pace then quickened and they raced as a team by the third stanza in 1:42.2 and around the final turn. When the passing lane opened, Wiles angled his steed to the inside and the three “musketeers” charged to the finish with Big John B and Roman prevailing by a half length over Wiles with Settlemoir 1-1/2 lengths farther back in third place. Harrison ended-up fourth in the 2:13 mile.
Maybe it was the mud that he had in his face but Larry Roman was unusually quiet in the winner's circle interview.
“I was watching the races after the down pour and noticed that speed wasn’t holding up. So I was in no hurry to catch the pack," Roman said. “I had a good horse and figured that there was plenty of time so I didn’t bother to rush toward the front until we neared the half. And once we got alongside of Jason [Settlemoir], my horse began to really grab the bit and from that point I was just a passenger.”
When asked about the slow pace his horse set, Settlemoir said: “I figured like Roman did that the race would be at the end of the mile. My horse dug and paced a :30.3 final quarter but Roman’s horse was stronger. All in all it was great fun.”
Wiles made no excuses because really he didn’t have any to make. He had his pacer in the right spot and when the passing lane opened, General Maximus just didn’t fire like Wiles hoped he would. And Harrison, who has driven in themed races here in the past and was anxious for a victory, took it all in stride and reiterated Settlemoir's “it was fun” comments, and then added, “when can we do this again.”
For safety sake, the executives raced in jog carts without the use of whips.
(Monticello Raceway)