On a sunny yet frigid day at Monticello Raceway, as the temperature got warmer, Bruce Aldrich Jr. got hotter.

Aldrich reined four winners on Thursday afternoon at Monticello. On the 10-race card, Bruce’s winning afternoon started in the 5th race as he scored a wire to wire win from the rail with the roan Sinful Vito in 2:02.3, who found the drop in class much more to his liking.

In the 6th race, he took the overland route from the 8 hole with American Tower to win in 2:02.3 for trainer Paul Weinrich. Overlooked by the betting public and going off at 24-1, the four-year-old American Ideal gelding returned $50.00 for win. Also in this race, Jim Marohn Jr., driving Silverhill Delight, went down at the wire when he hooked wheels with Kyle Dibenedetto and his horse, HDs Dream Boy. Marohn did not suffer any injuries, Silverhill Delight suffered a minor gash on his knee. Kyle and his mount were unscathed.

In the 8th race, Aldrich scored again with the Hot Summer Knight, who raced like the chalk that he was. The tandem scored another easy wire-to-wire victory, winning by eight lengths in 2:04.2 for owners Todd and Lynette Butler of Middletown, N.Y., and returning $2.30 for win.

Bruce’s last win of the afternoon came in race 9 as he drove All Native for the first time for trainer Tim Miller Jr. All Native, who is always competitive from an inside post, played catch-me-if-you-can as he led from start to finish.

Monticello Raceway’s new Pick 5 wager is rapidly gaining momentum and popularity already in its first week of being offered.

(with files from Monticello)