The 2015 season of monte racing (racing under saddle) action has been completed in Canada and the United States. Several pari-mutuel events were held at Ontario raceways and an active monte schedule of programs took place in the United States, especially in New York State.

The leading 2015 money winners (horses, riders, trainers) are shown below, along with the fastest monte race record earned by the winners.

Santo Domingo (Amigo Hall-Victory Lady), with Europe’s Philippe Masschaele aboard, set a new North American record of 1:56.4s over Mohawk Racetrack’s seven-eighths-mile oval in a pari-mutuel event; one of many in Ontario in which a full slate of wagering options produced comparable all-pools handle with sulky contests on the same cards. Santo Domingo produced a 3-1-0 slate from five starts for trainer Mike Guitard and owners Jalade Investments, Deanman Sons Stable and Peter Misculazi, and he earned $10,647.

Winners Star K posted three U.S. victories. Natalie Elliott led all North American riders with four wins, good for earnings of $8,760. Michelle Miller earned four wins in the US.

Trainers leading the 2015 stats included Michael Miller with four U.S. wins and Mike Guitard and Pam Forgie posted three each in Ontario.

Horses (Country, Name, Starts, Win, Place, Show, Earnings, Win Record):

Canada

Santo Domingo-5-3-1-0-$10,647-1:56.4s
Massive Muscles-3-2-1-0-$5,142-2:00,3h
Thor Seelster-6-2-1-1-$4,802-2:02.2h
Lexus Hawkeye-4-1-1-2-$3,183-2:05h
Twin B Excalibur-4-0-1-1-$2,275

United States

Hyway Marcus-2-1-1-0-$2,500-2:02h
Winner’s Star K-7-3-1-0-$1,305-2:13.4h
Flowing James-2-0-2-0-$1,250
Strongbow-6-1-2-3-$1,080-2:25h
Bosak-2-1-0-0-$1,025-2:02.3h

Riders (UDR):

Canada

Philippe Masschaele-1-1-0-0-$3,750-1.000
Natalie Elliott-9-4-1-2-$8,760-.580
Sarah Town-7-1-3-1-$5,622-.429
Marit Valstad-7-1-2-0-$5,513-.302
T Marielle Enberg-4-0-2-0-$3,775-.278

United States

Helene Gregory-2-2-0-0-$1,025-1.000
Maria Andersson-2-1-1-0-$2,500-.778
Heather Reese-5-3-0-1-$1,050-.667
Stephanie Jacobs-1-0-1-0-$1,250-.556
Michelle Miller-11-4-1-3-$1,960-.505

Trainers (UTR):

Canada

Lee Watson-1-1-0-0-$1,875-1.000
Julie Walker-3-2-1-0-$5,142-.852
Michael Guitard-5-3-1-0-$10,647-.711
Patrick Hudon-1-0-1-0-$1,875-.556
Pam Forgie-10-3-2-3-$7,985-.511

United States

Francisco Del Cid-2-1-1-0-$2,500-.778
Joseph Sansone-3 2-0-1-$800-.778
Michael Miller-13-4-3-3-$2,385-.513
James De Lucia-2-1-0-0-$1,025-.500
Tara Hynes-3-0-2-1-$1,562-.481

Thanks to all participants for their support of the 2015 monte programs and to RUS Ontario and RUS New York for their excellent promotion of monte racing throughout the year. Also, thanks to sponsors of monte racing and to tracks that hosted the competitive events in Canada and the United States.

Ontario tracks hosted 11 pari-mutuel monte races (Flamboro and Georgian hosted two each) and winners were clocked in better than 2:01 on five occasions (Santo Domingo in 1:56.4s at Mohawk for Philippe Masschaele, a North American record, in 1:59.3h at Flamboro with Marit Valstad aboard, and 2:00.2f at Georgian Downs for Sarah Town; Tragically Shipp in 1:59.4f at Georgian for Natalie Elliott; and Massive Muscles in 2:00.3h at Flamboro for Riina Rekila).

In the United States, Funny Photo scored at Vernon in 2:02.2s for Sophie Engerran; Hyway Marcus at Ocean Downs in 2:02h for Maria Andersson; and Bosak at Historic Track in 2:02.3h for Helene Gregory.

(Monte America)