When the pacers come down the homestretch in Monticello Raceway’s Lady Godiva Pace on Monday, February 15, one thing will be for sure, and that is that a lady driver will win the event.
“It’s a foregone given, especially since every driver in the race will be a woman,” Eric Warner the track's director of racing was quoted as saying. “It is again our pleasure to offer a harness race especially for the ladies. This will be the eighth consecutive year that we will present our Lady Godiva Pace.”
The event, usually featured on Valentine’s Day had to be raced one day later since the 'Mighty M' is not hosting a live card of racing Sunday, February 14.
Slated as Race 6 on the 13-race card, eight ladies are set to give their all.
Post positions, as well as driving assignments, have been drawn -- and each by the usual lottery system, although Jennifer Lappe will drive Pollys Turr, a pacer she owns and trains. The pair will start from Post 4.
Making her Lady Godiva debut will be Julie Miller. Panna Nicole, her mount for the event, has drawn the eight hole.
Monticello’s own Betsy Phillips will join Freehold Raceway invaders Doreen Dailey, Stacy Chiodo and Leah Vandervort. Dailey, who won last year’s event, has drawn the early favourite, Hurrikane Shannonk. The duo will starts from Post 6.
Chiodo will be steering Squeakmunn and will start from Post 3. Vandervort will handle Cammy Beth and will start from Post 2.
Terry Donnelly, a longtime member of many amateur driving clubs, has drawn Post 5 with Grand Flare. Donnelly lit up the tote board when she won the 2004 edition with a 70-1 shot and paid $148.50 for win.
Lisa Krom, who last season won the local scribes' Comeback of the Year Award, will drive Mare Supply and start from Post 7.
First-race post time for the Monday card is 12:25 p.m. Expected post time for the Lady Godiva Pace is 2:05 p.m.
(With files from Monticello)