Donnegal reclaims Monticello track record

Bill Mulligan has owned Standardbreds for well over 60 years, but scant few has he enjoyed better than his homebred, Donnegal. The veteran 8-year-old recaptured the track record for older trotting stallions at Monticello Raceway on Wednesday when Mike Forte guided the son of Sierra Kosmos to a 1:57.2 victory in the track’s $13,000 Preferred Trot.

Donnegal’s victory erased the former mark of 1:57.3, set by Armbro Barrister and driver Ray Schnittker on July 27, 2007, and oddly, when Armbro Barrister set his standard, it lowered the former mark of 1:58.1--which was owned by Donnegal.

Sent off the betting favorite in the seven-horse field, Forte cruised along in third position as Mark Beckwith cut the early fractions of :28.3 and :58.2 with Bubba Dunn. With Beckwith’s trotter still on the lead, Forte decided to move Donnegal before the three-quarters flashed in 1:27.2, and when he did the veteran trotted around the leader, opened daylight between himself and the rest of the field, and then cruised home an easy, 2-3/4 length winner over a fast-closing Lemon Pepper, driven by Jordan Stratton. Third place went to Heaven And Hall, in rein to Stephane Bouchard.

“I can’t tell you how much of a thrill I get every time I watch Donnegal win, and believe me I’ve had I’ve had many pleasures with him over the years,” Mulligan said by phone after he watched his trotter--via the internet--lower the Mighty M track mark. “And I’m happy for Greg (Wasiluk, the trainer), too. He does such a wonderful job with him.”

Donnegal’s victory was the trotter’s eighth in 19 starts this season, and it raised his season’s bankroll to almost $80,000. Thus far in his career, Donnegal has earned more than $349,000, and has won 34 races for Mulligan. (Monticello)

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