When Monticello Raceway presents its 7th annual Lady Godiva Pace on Tuesday, February 17, the event will be part of the Mildred Williams International Women’s Driving Series.
The Mildred Williams International Women’s Driving Series is designed to promote the sport of harness racing, foster positive press, market to the missing demographic of young women, provide young women with the opportunity to participate, and raise money for women related charities. The series also honours female pioneer Mildred Williams.
Recently, Ann Curran, the award-winning founder of the Mildred Williams Series, asked if Monticello Raceway would be interested in having its annual race for women drivers, the Lady Godiva, as a leg of the MWS to which Shawn Wiles, Monticello's assistant general manager, unequivocally said, “absolutely.”
Any lady with a license valid to drive in pari-mutuel races and who is in good standings with the United States Trotting Association and/or Standardbred Canada is eligible to compete.
As Curran explains, “most of the driving percentages earned by the competitors in the MWS are donated to breast cancer charities but it is not a pre-requisite--- most any charity will suffice.”
So when the ladies line-up behind Monticello Raceway mobile starting gate on February 17 they will be driving for a charity which, at this time, is yet to be named.
Last season many of the ladies who competed in Monticello Raceway’s Lady Godiva Pace also were members of the MWS. Among those were former Lady Godiva Pace winners, Devan Miller, Jody Riedel, and Betsy Phillips.
Currently 'Mighty M' director of Racing Eric Warner is seeking drivers to compete in Monticello's Lady Godiva Pace. Anyone interested in entering can do so by contacting Warner in the race office at 845-794-4100 (Ext. 557) or they can contact the Monticello publicity office at extension 455.
(Monticello)