All season long the battle for driving supremacy at Monticello Raceway has been between Zeke Parker and Bruce Aldrich Jr.
At the start of the Wednesday
, September 14 racing program, Zeke was two wins up on Aldrich, 260-258. But at day’s end, on the strength of six driving victories by Parker, the bearded wonder has opened up daylight on the younger Aldrich and now has a six-win lead.
“While I was in the hot tub last night I studied the [official] program and Zeke could win eight or nine races today," anticipated Aldrich prior to the card. "And I got a shot with one, maybe two, that’s all.”
Aldrich turned out to be a good handicapper. Had Parker converted with his two second place finishers. Aldrich would have been right on the money.
Parker began his assault with a 1:59.2 victory behind Optimist N in the first race. He then won the third with Daley Thomson N in 2:00.1. Win number three didn’t come until the sixth race when Parker reined trotter Tornado Alley home first in 2:03 and then scored an impressive 1:59.3 triumph with the lightly raced two-year-old pacing filly, My Spring Fling. Parker then won the 11th with Mandolin Hanover in 2:00 and came right back to take the 12th with Michael C Hanover in 1:58.2 making it six wins on the day for the 18-time Mighty M driving champ.
Aldrich was correct about his wins, which were exactly two; Real Navigator (1:59) in the fifth and Konchie (2:00.3) in the 10th.
After the card was completed, Parker was reached for a comment and in his usual style he didn’t say much more than, “I had some live mounts today, but with a little luck I could have won eight.”
Though Parker is six wins up, look for the battle to go right down to season's end as both drivers want to be tops this meet.
(Monticello Raceway)