Monticello Raceway gathered six harness racing veterans for an invitational event on Monday, Dec. 31 with Mayflowermoonshine besting the elder stars before they are forced into retirement when they turn 15 in the New Year.
The six starters sport an impressive overall body of work, between them they have amassed a total of 2,202 starts, 369 wins and over $2,435,000 in career earnings.
A trio of aged pacers left the gate hard with Esprit De Kayjay A getting the lead and taking the field past the quarter in :28.1. Delco Tross then moved first over at the half in :58.2 and took the field past the third quarter in 1:28.2 five lengths in front.
At the top of the lane Delco Tross appeared to be on his way to victory but Rick Harp and Mayflowermoonshine rallied in deep stretch to overtake Delco Tross in 1:59.4. B Blissfull finished third.
For Mayflowermoonshine it was his seventh win of the season, giving him 52 overall. The 14-year-old son of Pilgrims Punch is owned and trained by Dennis Lacey of Aurora, NY and was bred by Elmer L Yoder. Mayflowermoonshine lifetime stats include over 426 starts, a record of 1:51.2 taken at three and earnings of $653,000.
(With files from Monticello Raceway)