TALKING SPORTS

Riding the ‘bike’ at the Mighty M

By TED WADDELL

Posted 7/2/25

MONTICELLO, NY – “Betting the horses, the thrill of picking the winner, coming out and getting some fresh air in Monticello,” replied Larry Jameo, when recently asked his take on …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

TALKING SPORTS

Riding the ‘bike’ at the Mighty M

RR photos by Ted Waddell

A classic harness shot. Bruce Aldrich Jr. is pictured in the fourth race of the day, a 1-mile pace, with Barrywhite Hanover, trained by William Parker Jr.

RR photos by Ted Waddell

Riding the air. Jim Devaux is pictured with Mister David C, trained by Richard Campolong.

RR photos by Ted Waddell

On the bike. Kyle Dibenedetto poses for pics in the winner’s circle after piloting Foxman, trained by Tammy Sowers, to a win in the third race of the afternoon, a 1-mile pace with a $5,800 purse.

RR photos by Ted Waddell

Leader of the pack. It's a real horse race, as the horses head into a tight turn near the start of the eighth race of the day, a 1-mile trot with a purse of $9,300.

RR photos by Ted Waddell

Larry Jameo, a long-time fan of harness racing at the Mighty M, braved the heat with a bottle of cold water and a racing program.

RR photos by Ted Waddell

In the seventh race on the card, a 1-mile pace, Michael Merton won with Kimani M, trained by David Wiskow.

RR photos by Ted Waddell

Adam Moeykens is pictured driving O Jonnie, trained by Joseph Moeykens, in the fifth race of the day, a 1-mile pace.

RR photos by Ted Waddell

Getting off the bike. Jason Ricco shows how to dismount from the bike after placing Lyons Somewhereboy, trained by Jesse Kopa, into the winner’s circle.

Posted Wednesday, July 2, 2025 1:20 pm

By TED WADDELL

MONTICELLO, NY – “Betting the horses, the thrill of picking the winner, coming out and getting some fresh air in Monticello,” replied Larry Jameo, when recently asked his take on what brought him out to watch the harness racing action at Monticello Raceway.

As a long-time fan of Standardbred racing at the Mighty M, the resident of the county seat has been watching the “bikes” (in harness racing lingo, they are those spiderly two-wheeled contraptions hooked to the rear end of a horse) circle the track for 25-some years. On Wednesday, June 25, Jameo was one of a few folks bracing the boiling heat.

His thoughts on the state of local harness racing?

“I love it! Don’t go anywhere; stay in Monticello forever!”