Last year Alan Charles won Monticello Raceway’s Passover Pace in his only attempt in the event in the 12 years it has been presented. He’s set to return in the 'Race for the Matzos' when it goes to post on Thursday, April 21.

Back in the late 1980s and early 1990s Charles competed in metropolitan New York at Yonkers Raceway, but then left the game to pursue business interests. He made a soft return to harness racing last year and his first win out of the box was in the Race for the Matzos when he won the event with Cody Little Gal.

As the previous winner of the Passover Pace, Charles knew he would be invited back to defend his crown and he recently made his return official.

After reading how Alan Schwartz and Mike Kimelman were three-time winners, Charles was taken aback with some of the comments made by them.

“Hey wait one minute,” Charles began adamantly “If anyone should be highlighted in this event it should be me. I will not only be back to defend my title in the Passover Pace.... but to defend my Heritage Drivers Series Driving Championship.”

Last November, Charles prevailed against all the other preliminary leg winners when he won the Heritage Drivers Series final -- dubbed the All America Cup -- with Daisys Shark in a time of 2:00:1.

The Passover Pace on Thursday April 21 is the fourth leg of Monticello Raceway’s Heritage Drivers Series 2011 -- an event in which the winning drivers in each of the ethnic legs will return this fall for the series championship.

“I read about Schwartz and Kimelman’s six titles (three each), but neither of them ever won the Heritage Series final,” Charles said.

And Charles was quick to toot his horn when he chimed “The only reason Schwartz and Kimelman have the six combined titles is because I just came back after a 15-year lay-off and wasn’t in any of those other races.”

In the upcoming Passover Pace, Charles will be able to confirm his theory when he tangles with Schwartz, Kimelman, Peter Kleinhans, Dave Yarock, Mark Liebowitz, Derick Giwner and others when the 13th edition of the Race For The Matzos is presented on April 21.

Anyone of Jewish heritage interested in competing in this year’s Passover Pace is urged to contact Eric Warner, the tracks director of racing at 845-794-4100 (Ext. 557) or call the track publicity office at extension 455.

(Monticello)