This year, the Au Revoir, for 14-year-olds, tentatively scheduled for Thursday, December 27 at Monticello Raceway, has a decent chance of filling, which has not always been the case over the past few decades.
According to Eric Warner, the track's director of racing, he has heard from four owners of the old-timers who would like their pacers to race in the career-ending event.
“I’ve received correspondence from Gene Miller, Kathy Merola, Francis Witkowski and Lisa Pratt, all extremely interested in racing in our Au Revoir, which brings us closer to having a race again this year,” Warner said. “Of course we’d like a full field, but if we get six 14-year-old pacers we’ll go with it (on the betting card).”
The inaugural Au Revoir went to post in 1991, and each year since the 'Mighty M' has tried to fill the race, but it has not always been successful.
Anyone with a 14-year-old standardbred who’d like to have their horse race one final time before it becomes ineligible can contact Warner in the race office by calling 845-794-4100 (Ext. 557) or they can contact the track’s publicity office at extension 455.
(With files from Monticello)