Drew Monti celebrated his 30th birthday in style on Friday, Oct. 4, leaping to the top of the heated drivers' standings at Batavia Downs.
With a four-win performance, Monti sports 55 during the current Batavia meet. That number tops Kevin Cummings (53), Joe Chindano Jr. (53) and Dave McNeight III (52) at the New York oval.
Batavia Downs made a special presentation to Monti after Friday's first race, where he notched his 2,500th career win aboard Heavens Fury (2:00.4, $5.10). He completed the grand slam thanks with Hudsonandbernard (1:57.2, $9.90), Im Already Gone (1:56.4, $6.10) and Seasiderocket (1:58.4, $7.20).
Batavia Downs honours Drew Monti for achieving 2,500 career driving wins.
Monti started driving at New York fairs in 2012 at the age of 17 and won his very first start behind Super Grover at Waterloo, New York. A year later, he got his first pari-mutuel win at Batavia Downs in the fall of 2013 behind Right Back At You, who was a heavy favourite at 1-9, and Monti has remained a favourite of trainers and bettors alike on several circuits ever since.
Although racing full time at Batavia Downs where he won the driving title in 2016 and 2018, Monti has also been a regular reinsman at Plainridge Park where he has finished in the top five among that driver colony on four different occasions since 2019. Over the years, Monti has also competed at The Meadowlands, Yonkers Raceway, The Meadows, Woodbine Mohawk Park, Northfield Park, The Red Mile and Buffalo Raceway.
For his career overall, Monti now has 2,503 wins, 2,393 seconds and 2,253 thirds from a total of 16,957 starts and just over $20 million in purses as a result.
The evening's $12,838 featured trot went to Makes Me Charlie ($2.90), who grabbed the lead past the half and won boldly by 2-3/4 lengths in 1:58.1 with Jim McNeight Jr. in the sulky. Makes Me Charlie is owned by Amy Butler and Margaret Butler, who also trains the winner.
Live harness racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday with post time at 6 p.m. and there will be a $1,473 carryover and the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta in the 14th race.
(With files from Batavia Downs; Top photo of Drew Monti from a previous win)