Riedel awaits Lady Godiva

After winning two of the first four Lady Godiva Paces at Monticello Raceway, Jody Riedel is looking forward to this year’s event like a kid looks forward to Christmas.

The fifth annual Lady Godiva Pace, a race strictly for lady harness drivers, is slated for Valentine’s Day, Wednesday, Feb. 14. It will be the second leg of the Mighty M’s Heritage Drivers Series of 2007.

Riedel, who usually leaves the driving to others, has been on the sulky seat recently, perhaps tuning up for this years event.

“I usually use the services of the leading catch-drivers but on rare occasions I’ll drive one of my own horses,” Riedel said.

Thus far this year she has driven twice, both times with Northeast, with a trotter she owns.

In their first start, on Jan. 2, despite being sent off at odds of over 49-1, she finished second. Then two weeks later, on Jan. 16, she rallied Northeast to victory in the lane to score in a time of 2:06:4.

As defending champion in the Lady Godiva Pace she was asked in the paddock after her victory with Northeast if she was tuning up for this year’s race against her female counterparts. She just flashed a smile and said: “Not really, I just enjoy driving when I can, but make no mistake about it, I’m really looking forward to the Lady Godiva again this year. I think it’s great that the track can get a race together for us girls. Win or lose everyone seems to have a good time.”

In last seasons Lady Godiva Pace, Riedel reined Victoria HJ, a horse she acquired for race via lottery drawing..

“I drew a pretty good horse in Victoria HJ and was lucky enough to draw the rail (position), too,” Riedel said referring to last year’s Lady Godiva Pace. “We got a good trip—along the pylons most of the way—and didn’t have to move until the stretch and when we did my horse had enough pace to collar Veronica Merton (driving Chrysalis-the favorite on the race) just before the finish line.”

Merton figures to again be among the starters in this season’s event and will probably be joined by Betsy Phillips and Lisa Krom, two other women currently competing locally.

But in order to fill the event, Eric Warner, the track’s director of racing, will need eight ladies for a complete field. Any women with at least a provisional license from the USTA who would like to participate in this year’s Lady Godiva Pace are urged to contact Warner in the race office by calling 845-794-4100 x557; or they can contact the track’s publicity office at extension 455.

(Monticello)

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