Officials with Batavia Downs have announced that popular local reinsman ‘Driving’ Drew Monti will be featured as a bobblehead to be given away on Saturday, September 5.

"When we first started discussing this project last year, we spoke with our customers to see who they would like to see used as the focus of this promotion and the overwhelming response was ‘Driving Drew,’" said Todd Haight, the track’s general manager and director of live racing.

"He started driving here at 18 just a few years ago, but his career has taken off and he has obviously become a fan favourite. And as popular as bobbleheads are in the sport right now, we are very excited for this promotion."

The 20-year-old Monti came on the driving scene in 2013, scoring his first pari-mutuel win in April of that year. He was the top first-year provisional driver in North America in 2013 and he has progressed at a torrid pace ever since.

Last year, Monti won 170 races, $886,461 in purses and hit the board more than 40 per cent of the time. So far in 2015, he is on pace for career high numbers all around, as he already has 146 wins and $753,078 in purses through Wednesday (July 29).

During his short three-year career, Monti has amassed 393 wins and $2 million in earnings with a combined year-to-year UDR of .252. He is definitely poised to make a run at the driving title at Batavia Downs this meet.

One of the more popular young drivers, Monti is an example of what the next generation of horseman is all about. While balancing his racing career and education at the same time, Monti will be entering his fourth year at Canisius College this fall as he pursues his BA in business.

Distribution of the bobbleheads will begin immediately after the seventh race on September 5 in the Paddock Room. There is a limit of one per person and are available while supplies last. You must be a Players Club member to receive this premium.

Fans wishing to get their bobbleheads signed by Monti are urged to bring them back to the track the following day during the Labor Day matinee. Driving Drew will be trackside for an hour before the first race to greet his fans and sign the statuettes.

(With files from Batavia)