On Monday, April 13 at Monticello Raceway, driver Alan Schwartz won the Passover Pace. The win was Schwartz’s fourth-ever win in the annual event dubbed ‘the race for the matzos.’
After a recall, the race started off with both Terrys Girl Pearl and May Night both making breaks before the gate left, leaving them both out of contention.
As the gate left, Peter Kleinhans went right to the lead went aboard All Perfect. He took the field past the opening quarter in a brisk :28:2. Past the paddock turn, Austin Siegelman pulled the favourite, Pen Drop, to the outside (Schwartz followed him with live cover).
Pen Drop was parked at the half in :58:1. Pen Drop’s challenge was fading down the backstretch (Schwartz was still trailing him).
Schwartz put Rattle N Shake into motion as All Perfect took the field past the three-quarters of a mile maker in 1:28:4. At the top of the stretch, Rattle N Shake overtook All Perfect. Schwartz and Rattle N Shake prevailed by two lengths over Dave Yarock and Sittinginthemorninsun.
In the winner’s circle, a jubilant Schwartz said, ‘I was hoping that I could hold off Dave Yarock.” When told that he is the ‘undisputed king’ of wins in the Passover Pace, Schwartz replied, “Mazel Tov.”
Rattle N Shake, a four-year-old mare by Dream Away, is owned and trained by Ruth Calcagni. Aruba Sunset was scratched prior to post time, thus denying Derick Giwner his opportunity to win the race.
(With files from Monticello)