Bruce Aldrich Jr. has had much success in the sulky in recent years. At Monticello Raceway alone, over the first decade of the 21st Century, Aldrich won more races (2,353) than any other driver, including perennial champion Zeke Parker (1,944). Currently, Aldrich’s winners total 4,283, and that number is increasing constantly.

This year, back home on the familiar turf at the 'Mighty M,' Aldrich has a big command in races won and leads the local colony with 138 winners. Although, he is also among the driving leaders — currently third — at Saratoga Raceway with 41 wins.

Aldrich had called the Monticello home for many years, but over the past few seasons he has switched his home base to Saratoga Raceway --- he even bought a farm near the Spa City.

However, as usual, Monticello opened this season before Saratoga and Aldrich began winning at the Mighty M with regularity, so he decided that this year he’ll do double duty, and sort of the hard way, racing nearly full time at both Monticello and Saratoga Raceways.

And, no, the distance between both tracks is not 90 miles like the Monticello-Yonkers connection, it’s more like 165 miles from Monticello to Saratoga, and not an easy trip.

“I started the season here at Monticello and got off to a real good start" Aldrich explained. "So when Saratoga opened in March I thought I’d try to race at both tracks since for the most part they race on different days.”

“Monticello goes in the afternoons Mondays through Thursdays, and Saratoga usually races Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. But there are a few Thursdays along the way during the springtime, like one yesterday, where the distance between both tracks makes it hard for me.”

Aldrich has been on fire all season at Monticello --- over the past few weeks he’s been winning four and five races on many programs. Although, yesterday (May 1) wasn’t his day --- at least at the Mighty M.

He not only got skunked on the 10-race card, but in a morning qualifying race he was in an accident and was unseated and thrown to the ground.

“I wasn’t hurt [badly], but they took me to the local hospital to get checked out and the doctors there 'okayed' me to drive on the afternoon program,” Aldrich explained. “I didn’t do much good --- even had to take myself off the horse in the last race who I won with last time so I’d have enough time to make it to Saratoga.

“Honestly it’s a gruelling trip because Saratoga starts at 6:45 and it’s not all Thruway there from Monticello. But I won three races at Saratoga last night so that made the day worthwhile.”

Presently with 178 seasonal driving victories, Aldrich is tied for seventh in wins --- with Tim Tetrick --- on the North American leaderboard.

(Monticello)