Stratton wins All-America Pace at Monticello

Monticello Raceway's Heritage Drivers Series final, dubbed the All-America Pace, pitted the winners of each of the eight preliminary races for different ethnicities on Wednesday afternoon, and when the shouting ended Jordan Stratton emerged victorious. The talented youngster reined Bolero Artifice to a two-length victory over Billy Parker Jr and Night Mystery in a 1:59.4 clocking. Jimmy Marohn finished third with Fuzzy Charmer.

 

“Each of our preliminary events were for drivers of different ethnicities so we called the Heritage Drivers Series final “The All-America Pace” because America is a nation of different ethnic citizens,” noted Eric Warner, the track's director of racing. “And as luck would have it many of our top drivers won their respective ethnic races so we had a field of good drivers in the final event.”

 

When the gate sprung for the All-America Pace on an extremely windy afternoon, Parker sent Night Mystery to the front from post six and circled Bolero Artifice, who started from the three hole. Night Mystery took command on the first turn which left Stratton’s pacer on the limb. But as the field headed to the quarter pole Parker let Stratton go and he settled his pacer in behind Bolero Artifice.

 

The two horses then raced one-two around the paddock turn, past the half and up the backstretch the second time around. At the three quarters Bolero Artifice had a two-length lead which Night Mystery diminished to a length at the top of the stretch. However, after Stratton got after his pacer Bolero Artifice drew off by two lengths and paced home an easy winner.

 

Stratton was smiling in the winner's circle when he received the trophy from track general manager Shawn Wiles, and he said to him in idle conversation: “I knew I had the best horse going into the race and I drove him like he was the best. And he was!”

 

Sent off at odds of just over even money, Bolero Artifice paid $4.10 for win. The pacer, trained by Paul Blumenfeld, is owned by the PB Racing Stables of Beecher, Ill.

 

Earlier this season Stratton, whose mom’s heritage made him eligible, won the race for drivers with German descent, dubbed the Munich Mile, which earned him a berth in the series finale. Parker’s victory in the prelims was in the Mayflower Mile for drivers of British heritage and Marohn’s ticket to the final was a result of his victory in the Godfather Pace for drivers of Italian heritage. (Monticello)