As the 2017 standardbred stakes season reaches full steam ahead, so too does monte harness racing action in Ontario and the US. Monte trots are incredibly thrilling, especially with large competitive fields, and in Ontario wagering is permitted on races primarily at the “B” tracks.
It’s fitting that we report 2016 results (Canada and US, courtesy of USTA). The top horses based on earnings were Southwind Alice in Canada and Funny Photo in the US. The top riders were Evelyn Harms and Sophie Engerran and the leading monte trainers last year were Shane Arsenault and Patti Harmon.
Watch your entries and get out this summer to support the monte participants. It represents excellence in horsemanship and the unique ability of the standardbred horse. See the current schedules below:
Ontario Race Dates
July 1 – Dresden Raceway, Canada Day
Goshen Historic Track
July 2 – Goshen RUS Trot, purse $2000, entries due June 29 (see condition sheet)
New York Race Dates
Thursday, July 6 —— Afton Fair
Tuesday, July 18—— “Little World’s Fair" in Hemlock
Tuesday, July 25——-Oneida County in Boonville
Monday, July 31——- Schoharie County Fair in Cobleskill
Wednesday, Aug. 2 —— Tioga County in Owego
Wednesday, Aug. 9 —– Oswego County in Sandy Creek
Monday, Aug. 14 —- Wayne County in Palmyra
Tuesday, Aug. 15 —- Steuben County in Bath
Tuesday, Aug. 22 —– Tompkins County in Trumansburg
The excitement of monte at New York State county fairs will continue this summer with the fourth annual RUS NY Fair Series. The Series will consist of nine legs and a final championship race to be held at Saratoga Casino and Hotel on September 15th. Points earned along the way to determine final entries. Horses need at least two starts to be eligible for the final. A High Point Rider Award will again be presented at the final to the rider who has earned the most points, regardless of horse(s) ridden throughout the series. A single monte event for pacers is also scheduled.
Thursday, Aug. 10 —– Franklin County Fair in Malone
** A mandatory schooling will be required.
** Not part of the Fair Series
For a look at monte racing at its best, take a look at the world’s best:
Bellissima France | PRIX DE CORNULIER 2017 (GR 1) Purse €700,000 – Paris Vincennes (1/22/17)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFmI9H7Yf_E
Bilibili| PRIX DE LA DIASPORA AFRICAINE (GR 1) – Paris Vincennes (2/5/2017)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLYzK5gbsuI
RUS Ontario, RUS NY and USTA files
Thomas H Hicks