P.J. Lutman III emerged victorious in Monticello Raceway’s 'Race for the Matzohs.'
Granted, P.J. Lutman III is not a Jewish name, but the 27-year-old horseman whose mother was Jewish, took home the box of matzohs when he guided Famous Last Words to a 2:01:2 victory in Monticello Raceway 11th annual Passover Pace on Wednesday, April 15, 2009.
Lutman, the recipient of the local scribes' Max A. Brewer Award as the best young driver at Monticello last season, bided his time with his pacer and rallied him late to take command on the final turn and then hold off a fast closing Diaper Dandy, driven by Jimmy Shields, who, by the way, had the same mother as PJ Lutman III.
Their mom, Sherry 'nee Turick' Lutman, was a longtime Monticello trainer before her passing a few years ago.
With the late scratch of My Miracle, seven pacers went to post and Kid Carrots with Alan Schwartz aboard, took command with Mike Kimelman and Wild Willy Magoo lining up behind them in the two-hole.
Before the quarter was reached, Schwartz allowed Dempsey Blue Chip and driver Murray Bassen to take command. The latter led the field to the half at which point Lutman moved Famous Last Words first up and they began to gain ground on the leaders.
As the field straightened in the backstretch and headed for the three quarters, Famous Last Words wore down the leader and took command on the final turn.
It marked the first Passover Pace victory for Lutman, who comes from a long line of harness horsemen. His roots can be traced back to Canada to the turn of the 20th Century.
“It was sweet and I’m thrilled that we won but the race didn’t go as I had figured,” Lutman said. “I had planned to leave but when everybody else did I took back and after Murray Bassen made the top I knew I wanted to be first up. I waited until we headed to the half and then I moved and the old horse (Famous Last Words) knew what to do from there.”
Famous Last Words, also trained by Lutman is owned by Megan Marie Gilmour of Monticello, New York. He paid $4.80 for the win.
(With files from Monticello)