When it comes to half-mile track racing, the luck of the draw sometimes is a determining factor. Although that phrase is usually used in conjunction with the post position draw, in Monticello Raceway’s All-America Cup, the final of the track’s Heritage Drivers Series, it takes on a greater meaning, and one that Jimmy Marohn Jr. benefits from.
Marohn, the winner of the St. Paddy Pace for drivers of Irish heritage, drew Post 6, but he also drew Hickory Louie, the hot favourite in the event which will be the sixth race on the track’s Thursday (December19) program .
Hickory Louie, from the powerful Bob Lounsbury barn, hasn’t tasted defeat since October 8.
The ‘Mighty M’s Heritage Drivers Series is comprised of eight races for drivers of different ethnicities and presented at various intervals throughout the racing season. Not only are post positions drawn by lot, but driving assignments are, too, and the luck of the draw has been good to Marohn.
However, Caidens Colt, a 1:58.4 winner in his last start on December 7 at Batavia Downs, may supply some serious competition. Majo Just Do it, a 1:53.3 winner at Vernon Downs in early November, could also be a factor.
Dennis Watson, winner of the Dr. Martin Luther King Pace for African-American drivers, will pilot Caidens Colt and start from Post 5, while Rock Vinci, winner of the Godfather Pace for Italian Americans, will handle Majo Just Do It and start from Post 5.
Aaron Byron, winner of the Maple Leaf Mile for drivers of Canadian heritage, could also be in the hunt with Secluded Island, a 1:58.2 winner in mid-November who will start from Post 2.
Others in the field include Atoka Woodstock (PP1), with the Passover Pace winner, Bob Krivelin; High Mileage (PP4), with the Munich Mile winner, Mike Merton; Five Star Stud (PP7), with Mayflower Mile winning driver Kyle DiBenedetto; and Clive Hanover (PP8), with Veronica Merton, the Lady Godiva winner.
Post time for the 13-race card will be 12:25 p.m. The All-America Cup will head to post at approximately 2:00 p.m.
(Monticello)