To say that Bruce Aldrich, Jr. is having a banner year at Monticello Raceway would be a gross understatement. Not only is his stable the leading money winning one and his wife April, who works hand-and-hand with Bruce, the track’s leading trainer but add to this the fact that Aldrich’s 243 driving victories places him atop the local leaderboard, nearly 100 wins ahead of runner-up Zeke Parker.

Yesterday, Aldrich put another feather in his cap when he guided Mystical Heiress to a 1:58:4 trotting victory, which established a new track record for four–year–old trotting mares. The mile erased the former standard of 1:59:2 which was set by Ms Striking in 2002.

Despite Mystical Heiress’ seven wins this year, the betting crowd jumped on Windsun Pride (even money) and allowed the Lime A Prayer mare to get away at odds of 6-1. Undaunted by the bettors' choice, Aldrich quickly sent his trotter to the lead from Post 5 and he kept the pedal to the metal the entire way. Unchallenged, Mystical Heiress trotted through fractions of :28:4, :58:4 and 1:28:3 and finished one and a half lengths ahead of Valcyon Days.

“She was exceptionally good today and I just let her ramble and I really had no idea about a track record,” Aldrich said. “Though she hadn’t won a race since early June, she has been good to us this year earning over $38,500 so far.”

Aldrich, who was the driver of the decade at the 'Mighty M,' is en route to his second driving title this season.

For Aldrich, who wins races in bunches, it was another hat trick. Besides his triumph with Mystical Heiress, Aldrich also scored with Princess Q T Pie in 2:01:1 and also with Night Mystery in 1:58:1.

(Monticello)