Since Monticello Raceway instituted its 'Au Revoir' back in 1991, the race has only been presented on five occasions.

Although the raceway had tried its best to fill the race every year since the inaugural edition, the fact remains that there is usually is a shortage of 14-year-olds still racing in December in what is the final year of their eligibility.

Although the amount will vary slightly from campaign to campaign, there were only 54 fourteen-year-olds that made at least one start during the 2012 racing season. That, along with the late date of the race, is the main reason why the Au Revoir doesn’t get enough horses for an annual event.

Despite the spotty history of the dash, Eric Warner, the track's director of Racing, has said that the unique contest will be carded this year, on Thursday, December 27.

“Although we are still searching for a few more 14-year-olds for this year’s Au Revoir, we currently have commitments from the connections of four pacers, with a possibility of one or two more,” Warner said. “And even if we go with a short field, there will be interest in the horses that will be in the race.”

Warner is referring to veterans Tattlers Jet, Alba Gold, Captain Killean, and Heros Cavalcade, who, barring any unforeseen circumstances, will have their names dropped into the entry box.

Take Dave Carter’s Tattlers Jet for instance. His 120 overall wins places him among the elite in terms of races won by a pacer during their career. And, according to Harness Racing Communications’ Ken Weingartner, Tattlers Jet’s 120 victories ranks him No. 5 among all North American pacers born in the last 40 years; and his career-best win time of 1:49.2, set in 2010 at Colonial Downs at the age of 12, makes him the fastest horse ever to hail from Wisconsin. The altered son of Tattlers Torpedo will be coming in all the way from the Badger State with his trainer, Gene Miller, who incidentally won the National Amateur Driver of the Year Award in 2002.

Alba Gold, reputed to be the last horse still racing by the great stallion and racehorse Albatross, will be winding his way to Monticello from western New York. Owned by Kathy Merola, Alba Gold has a seasonal record of 1:58 taken at Batavia Downs and a career mark of 1:54.1 when the pacer was six years of age. He has recorded 45 lifetime victories and amassed career earnings of over $372,000.

Another probable entrant is Francis Witkowski’s Captain Killean. A winner of 58 races with a lifetime record of 1:55.4 and almost $140,000 in purse money, Captain Killean will be shipping in from Plainridge Racecourse in Massachusetts.

Although owned by Massachusetts connections, Heros Cavalcade is currently racing at Monticello and will be a definite starter in the Au Revoir. Second in his last start in 1:59.2, the altered son of Keystone Raider has won 48 races and over $327,000 in his career. His lifetime record of 1:51.2 was taken when the pacer was 11 years old.

In the first Au Revoir, the New York State Racing and Wagering Board allowed the 'Mighty M' to have a trotter in the specialty race; and, more recently, in 2009, a trotter was one of the entrants, although he was a late scratch.

“Since there are a few 14-year-old trotters still racing well at this time, we’ll check if the board will allow us to once again have a trotter or two included in the Au Revoir field,” Warner added. “After all, this is a unique race and real hard to fill, especially at the end of a horse's career.”

“Those interested in starting in the Au Revoir must make or call in (845-794-4100 [Ext. 557]) their entries to the racing office by 9:00 a.m. on Friday, December 21 for the race on Thursday, December 27,” Warner explained. “The early draw (for post positions) is necessitated by this year’s Christmas Holiday falling on a Tuesday.”

(With files from Monticello)