Bruce Aldrich Jr. and Jim Marohn Jr. have been tough to beat on the racetrack and have not been leaving much for their competitors thus far this week at Monticello Raceway.

On Wednesday, October 22, Aldrich won five races on the 10-dash card, which is what Marohn did on the track’s Tuesday program.

“I’m a lucky guy getting first call to drive for trainer Bob Lounsbury,” Aldrich said after Wednesday’s card was completed. “When I get up behind a horse that he trains I know I have a chance to win.”

Aldrich began the soggy afternoon by winning the first race with Move Blue Chip ($2.60) in 1:59.3 for Bob, John, and James Dill. Then, Aldrich didn't get his picture taken again until he won the sixth race with Go Go Buckeye ($7.10) for owner Woody Hoblitzell in 1:59.3.

Aldrich came right back to cop the seventh race with the Philip Schultz-owned and Bob Lounsbury-trained Vincent Fra ($3.60) in 1:58.1, which marked the claiming pacer’s 15th seasonal triumph.

After having finished third in the eighth race on the program, Aldrich then proceeded to win the final two dashes on the card. He won the ninth race with Gray Thunder Stable’s, The Perfect Dream ($6.50) in 2:02.3, and then romped to victory in the finale with Phillip Schultz’s trotter Scottish Cross ($2.30) in 1:59.2.

Both Aldrich and Marohn have the luxury of driving for the top stables on the grounds, the former for Bob Lounsbury and the latter for Danny Gill.

Aldrich currently leads the local driving colony with 294 winners, while Marohn is third best with 167. Both reinsmen rank nationally, ads Aldrich’s 493 wins places him sixth on the North American leaderboard, while Marohn’s 290 ranks him 25th.

(With files from Monticello)