On Monday, February 25, the aptly named Win And Dream (Win fireworks) gave Bruce Aldrich Jr. his 9,000 win, the winner is trained and owned by Steven Ray of New Berlin, NY, the 8-year-old gelding won in 2:01.3 – $17.80.
Born into a family with a rich New England Harness Racing heritage, his father Basil Aldrich has been competing long before the USTA even started keeping records. Being indoctrinated at a young age, it wasn’t long before Bruce got the Harness Racing Itch and started his own career.
His first year of racing was 1985, finishing third in his only start. From there he gradually continued his journey. In a short period of five years, he had 189 wins and earnings of $172,803. Bruce has been a mainstay at Monticello Raceway for nearly decades, 57-year-old Aldrich is a six-time Leading Dash winning driver at Monticello Raceway. In his career, he has made 53,666 starts, 7,993 pace finishes, and 7,179 third-place finishes, with career earnings of $37,250,000. He has earned over a million per year in purses a whopping 17 times so far in his career. His best year was 2015, 663 wins and $3,361,218 in purse earnings.
In his 41-year career, Bruce has ridden many horses, one that stood out for him was Royal Heart, who set a world record at Saratoga that was broken by Wiggle It Jiggle it. Royal Heart also recorded one of the fastest miles ever at Monticello Raceway: 1:51.4.
After the epic victory, Bruce was greeted in the Winners Circle by friends and drivers. Bruce wasted no time in his quest for his 10,000 win, scoring just two races later with Kenobi.
For full race results, click here: American trotting results.
By Monticello Race Track
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