When Monticello Raceway presents its Au Revoir on New Year’s Eve Day, Thursday, December 31, one thing is for sure, and that is that a 14-year-old will win the race
.
If that sounds presumptuous, it’s really not, because every horse in the race is 14 years old and it will mark the last time that they ever have a chance to compete (when they turn 15, which will be on January 1, 2010, they are forced into retirement).
If a race exclusively for 14-year-olds isn’t unique enough, add to it the fact that race will pit two trotters against five pacers -- something that is rarely, if ever, done on a betting card at an extended pari-mutuel race meet.
With only one of the entrants local, the others came in from tracks like Lebanon Raceway, Saratoga Raceway, Plainridge Racecourse, Scarborough Downs and Northfield Downs.
It’s the pacer from Lebanon Raceway, Bonn Star N, a lifetime winner of 53 races, who has been tabbed as the early favorite. Owner-trainer Mark Gillenwater has secured the driving services of Kyle DiBenedetto when the Holmes Hanover gelding leaves from Post 4. His fastest of five seasonal victories -- a 1:57:3 effort -- came at Scioto Downs last summer, but he won his last start in 2:01:2 at Lebanon Raceway.
Another pacer, Satin Time N, also a 53-time winner, figures to be the main competition and will start from Post 3. Owned and usually driven by Dawn Anderson, she has opted to hand the lines to Greg Merton. A winner of 14 races this season -- the fastest in 1:56:3 at Plainridge Racecourse -- Satin Time N is the second choice on the morning line at 3-1.
First-race post time on December 31 will be at 12:25 p.m. The Au Revoir will be the fourth contest on the 13-race card with an approximate post time of 1:15 p.m.
PP - (Gait) - Horse - (Line - Driver)
1 - (t) - Im Dam Goog - (3-1 - Harvey Stein)
2 - (t) - Numberonefan - (4-1 - Mike Forte)
3 - (p) - Satin Time N - (3-1 - Greg Merton)
4 - (p) - Bonn Star N - (5-2 - Kyle DiBenedetto)
5 - (p) - Opps Whatapromise - (12-1 - Bruce Aldrich, Jr.)
6 - (p) - Am I Next - (7-2 - Zeke Parker)
7 - (p) - Up Hill Battle - (10-1 - Jamie Dunlap)
(With files from Monticello)