Efforts by the North American Amateur Drivers Association and the Catskill Amateur Drivers Club to present a race(s) for veterans who are also amateur harness drivers are coming to fruition, according to NAADA vice president Alan Schwartz.

“We have received confirmation from quite a few vets who are looking forward to competing in the event(s) here at Monticello Raceway which will help us raise money for the local veteran’s food bank,” Schwartz said. “Just recently [CADC president] Gerry Fielding and I have heard from Peter Gerry, George Bonomo, Joe Pennacchio, Bernie Boland and Jimmy Marshall III, as well as local horsemen Allen Sisco, Pete Siebert and Paul Moore, so we’re well on our way of getting a field together. And should we get enough vets, we’ll have two races.”

The event was planned for national Veterans Day, November 11, but since the Mighty M is dark on Fridays, the race(s) will be slated for Thursday, Nov. 10.

“But that’s OK since November 10 will be the 241st Anniversary of the United States Marine Corps,” noted Schwartz a former U.S Marine who besides being the vice president of NAADA is also the president of the Monticello Raceway’s Harness Horsemen’s Association.

“It’s true we have a good start at filling at least one division, but with a few more entries we could possibly have two races,” Schwartz added.

At the end of the November 10 racing card at the Mighty M, both NAADA and CADC will each donate $1,000 to the Veteran’s Food Pantry of Sullivan County, New York.

Both amateur organizations are urging those who plan on attending the afternoon’s race card to please bring along a non-perishable food item, which will then be delivered to the veteran’s food pantry.

The Veterans Amateur Driving Challenge is only open to former servicemen who are amateur harness drivers licensed by the U.S. and/or the Canadian Trotting Associations.

To enter the event, or for further information, please contact Monticello Raceway’s director of racing, Eric Warner by calling 845-794-4100 ext. 557; or contact Alan Schwartz in the Horsemen’s organization’s office at 845-791-7747.

(With files from NAADA and CADC)