An old country song by Jerry Reed proclaimed, 'When you’re hot… you’re hot' --- and that is just what Tracys Song is, and has been, at Monticello Raceway.
The eight-year-old Astreos mare scored her 10th consecutive victory on Monday, March 25, which equals the 'Mighty M' track record for most wins in a row by a mare. With the 1:58.2 triumph, Tracys Song has regained sole command of the North American leaderboard for most wins thus far this season.
However, according to her trainer Bob Lounsbury, this win came harder than the other nine.
“When I handed the lines to Bruce (driver Bruce Aldrich Jr.), I said to him, 'You’re not going to like her today,'" Lounsbury related. “She’s a little sore and warmed up bad.”
Lounsbury reasoned that the extra soreness in his pacing mare was due to the fact that his veterinarian didn’t get a chance to work on her this past week.
“I thought for sure her win streak would end today,” Lounsbury said from the paddock judge’s phone after the race, as Aldrich joined him there. “I can’t tell you how surprised I was when she won again.”
“Unfortunately, Bob was right when he told me she was sore,” Aldrich concurred. “She was on one line [badly], and with the track a little deep it was hard on her suspensories (suspensory ligaments). But she’s always been real game and she showed it in spades today when she held on to win even though she didn’t bring her ‘A Game.’
“When you drive enough horses you realize that winners find a way to win, while losers find a way to lose,” Aldrich added.
Once again, as had been her seasonal MO, Aldrich sent Tracys Song to the lead and coasted along relatively unchallenged in the early going. It wasn’t until the field straightened for home that Temptation Queen and driver Zeke Parker made a real serious charge, and although they got to Tracys Song’s neck, they couldn’t get by her and they had to settle for second place. Eagle Hilarious was third for Kyle DiBenedetto.
Sent off as the 1-4 favourite in the $7,500 claiming pace, Tracys Song returned $2.50 on a successful Win wager.
Owner Nancy Fugere, with a grin from ear to ear, joined in for the winner's circle presentation.
“I just can’t believe how good she has been, and today she showed real grit and how much she likes to win,” Fugere said. “She’s one tough cookie.”
(Monticello)