Bring on Ronnie Wrenn Jr. Those words weren’t actually spoken, but it’s a good bet that Bruce Aldrich Jr. feels that way, especially after winning five races on Tuesday, December 10 at Monticello Raceway.

Aldrich’s showdown with Wrenn will take place Thursday, December 12 at Monticello. And it’s probably somewhat comforting for Aldrich that their upcoming drive-off will be on his home turf.

“It might be a slight advantage, but Ronnie is a great driver and he especially knows his way around a half-mile track,” Aldrich said. “We each got to pick our own drives and it should be a good competition on Thursday – I just hope I’m not embarrassed.”

On the cold and dreary Tuesday afternoon at Monticello, the falling snow made the racing surface muddy, but it didn’t seem to bother Aldrich. In his first drive on the card he won the second race with Mechanical Bull ($5.30) in 2:03.3 and then came back in the next race to rein Thunder Seelster ($2.10) home first in 1:59.1 for the gelding’s 15th seasonal triumph. Win No. 3 immediately followed when Aldrich scored a 1:58.2 win with Gota Go Bullville ($5.40).

Four races later, Aldrich scored win No. 4 with Buckeye Baddler ($2.30). Aldrich then won for the fifth time in Race 10 with Hickory Louie ($3.40) for the pacer’s 13th seasonal triumph. The win was the third training victory on the card for Bob Lounsbury.

“I had some power today and I put them in the right spot and they fired,” Aldrich said about his Tuesday production. “I hope my mounts on Thursday are as live as the ones I drove today.”

(With files from Monticello)