Marohn wins three at Monticello, reaches 5,000 plateau

At Monticello Raceway on Thursday afternoon, May 8, “the Mighty Mite,” Jimmy Marohn, notched his 5,000th career victory when he reined Ettore Annunziata’s Vince The Prince to a 2:00, wire-to-wire victory in the fifth race on the card.

It was one of three winners on the card for Marohn, who also guided Four Starzzz Stables' Four Starz Breeze to a 2:04.4 trotting victory in the second race and Delores Basilone’s Bell Pond Road to a 2:00.1 victory in the fourth race.

Marohn began his career at Monticello Raceway in the mid-1970s, and after he established himself as a premier driver at the Mighty M he moved on to Yonkers and Roosevelt Raceways where, for decades, he was not only among the leading drivers at both tracks, but he was also among the leaders nationally.

During the 1982 campaign Marohn’s 262 winners were 17th best in North America and the following year his 242 wins ranked him 22nd on the N.A. leaderboard. Marohn also enjoyed national ranking in 1990 (17th--334 wins) and 1991 (25th--285 wins).

“Wow, I can’t believe it. I’m among a very elite group of guys who won 5,000 or more races. Not bad company to be in is it?” Marohn said.

After decades racing strictly in metropolitan New York, Marohn has made Monticello Raceway his home base in recent years, although he does travel to other tracks to drive.

“I guess I’ve come full circle,” he joked and then added, “I like racing at Monticello; the people here have been good to me.”

He doesn’t often talk about it but Marohn is the proud papa of Jimmy Jr. who is a talented youngster also destined for greatness in the sport. The 26-year-old has already won driving titles at various tracks and thus far has reined 752 winners in his career. (Monticello Raceway)

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