It was the Bruce Aldrich Jr. show once again at Monticello Raceway on June 23, but the Monday program was an extra special once for the 46-year-old.

Aldrich, who is currently the leading driver at the ‘Mighty M,’ reined three winners on the nine-race Monday card. However, one of his three driving victories will stand heads and shoulder above virtually all others in his career – that one was the ride he got behind Road Work Ahead in Race 3. Not that the 1:59:2 clocking was overly special, but what really mattered was the victory itself, which turned out to be the 5,000th of his driving career.

Most impressive about Aldrich’s victory with Road Work Ahead was that the pacer hadn’t even hit the board in 20 previous starts this year. That made little matter to Aldrich, who wheeled Road Work Ahead out second-over before eventually pacing on to a tight victory in 1:59.1.

Usually one who expresses his thoughts after a winning drive, Aldrich was especially pensive after reaching his new milestone. He did say “I’m proud and I’m glad it’s over” when asked about how he felt.

The milestone triumph overshadowed Aldrich’s victory with Diamond Tiara, which marked the pacing mare’s 15th seasonal win. The triumph extended Diamond Tiara’s lead in races won this year in North America. Despite now racing from a new barn (Al Annunziata claimed her for $9,000 last week) and having a new driver in Aldrich, the results remained the same – although, her wire-to-wire 1:55.2 win was her fastest this year.

After Diamond Tiara’s race was made official, announcer Howard Oil proclaimed that there was a claim in the race, and, you guessed it, she was claimed back for the same $9,000 tag by her previous owner, Philip Schultz. Diamond Tiara was returned to the familiar surroundings of her previous stall in trainer Mike Watson’s barn. Watson had been the conditioner of Diamond Tiara prior to losing her to Annunziata.

(With files from Monticello)