It may not be the same at all racetracks, but it is a rarity for a trainer to win four races on one card at Monticello Raceway. On Monday, September 17 at Monticello, trainer Dan Gill sent out four winners, all of which were driven by Jimmy Marohn Jr., who recorded a total of five wins on the afternoon card.
“Danny is one of the hardest workers on the backstretch. He’s always got his horses fit and he comes to race,” Marohn offered. “Driving his stock makes me look good.”
Marohn drives exclusively for Gill, and the combination has been lethal. Currently, Gill’s 80 training wins is third locally only to Pete Pellegrino’s 94 and Gary Messenger’s 92. Marohn is currently second on the local driving leaderboard with 189 winning steers, just two less than Greg Merton’s 191.
Marohn is having his best year ever. His 261 winners is the most he’s ever had in one season --- 257 was his previous best in 2009 --- and he still has over three months of action before the curtain comes down on the 2012 season.
Among Marohn’s accomplishments this year was his second driving title at Tioga Downs, which proves the youngster is compelling on any size race track.
“I really like racing over the five-eighths track at Tioga and I’ve been lucky enough to do well. I had a great summer there and finished as the leading driver again (he also won in 2009),” he said modestly.
Now with 1,865 career driving victories, Marohn was asked when is he going to make a move at the big-time tracks in the greater New York area.
“I’ve been [swinging] my bat and I hope to hit one soon,” Marohn said. “I might try the Meadowlands when they open again.”
(Monticello)