On Wednesday, October 7, Monticello Raceway's final of the Heritage Driver's Series, dubbed the All-America Pace, pitted the winners of each of the eight preliminary races -- for drivers of different ethnicities -- against each other. When the shouting ended, Jordan Stratton emerged victorious.

The young driver steered Bolero Artifice to a two-length, 1:59.4 victory over pilot Billy Parker, Jr., who was aboard Night Mystery. Reinsman Jimmy Marohn, who was driving Fuzzy Charmer, finished third.

“Each of our preliminary events were for drivers of different ethnicities so we called the Heritage Driver's Series final the 'All-America Pace' because America is a nation of different ethnic citizens,” noted Eric Warner, the track's director of racing. “And as luck would have it, many of our top drivers won their respective ethnic races, so we had a field of good drivers in the final event.”

When the gate sprung for the All-America Pace -- raced on what was a very windy afternoon -- Parker sent Night Mystery to the front from Post 6. The pair circled Stratton and Bolero Artifice, who had started from Post 3. Night Mystery took command on the first turn, which left Stratton and his mount on the limb. Although, as the field headed to the quarter pole, Parker let Stratton go, and he settled his pacer in behind Bolero Artifice.

The two charges then raced one-two around the paddock turn, past the half and up the backstretch the second time around. At the three quarters, Bolero Artifice had a two-length lead, which Night Mystery diminished to one length at the top of the stretch. However, after Stratton went to work on his pacer, Bolero Artifice drew off by two lengths and paced home an easy winner.

Stratton was smiling in the winner's circle when he received the trophy from track general manager Shawn Wiles. Stratton told the GM in idle conversation, “I knew I had the best horse going into the race and I drove him like he was the best. And he was!”

Sent off at odds of just over even money, Bolero Artifice paid $4.10 for win. The pacer, trained by Paul Blumenfeld, is owned by the PB Racing Stables of Beecher, IL.

Earlier this season, Stratton, whose mother’s heritage made him eligible, won the race for drivers with German descent, dubbed the 'Munich Mile,' which earned him a berth in the series finale. Parker’s victory in the prelims was in the 'Mayflower Mile' for drivers of British heritage. Marohn’s ticket to the final was a result of his victory in the 'Godfather Pace' for drivers of Italian heritage.

(Monticello)