That “pop” record now belongs to Dave Yarock and his pacer
Big John B when the pair circled the Mighty M’s half-mile oval in 1:56.4
in the second leg of the Catskill Amateur Drivers Club’s Spring Pacing Series.
When the gate sprung on that warm and muggy afternoon,
Yarock headed for the lead with Big John B and they took command easily. Once
on top the field lined up behind them with Lady On The Attack (Gary Campbell)
second and JMDancinshannon (Paul Moore) in third position.
Yarock let his horse pace along at his own leisure
and they went by the quarter in :28.3 and then passed the half in :58.1,while
still comfortably in front of his challengers. Up the backside Campbell
and Lady On The Attack took aim at Yarock but Big John B would have nothing of
it and pulled away open lengths which forced Campbell to again take a seat.
With the three quarters paced in 1:27:3 Big John B was still
strong and when the field headed for home and it was clear no
one was going to even get close as Big John B went on to an easy two-
length triumph. Lady On The Attack held second and JMDancingshannon
finished third.
“Big John B was rationing out his speed and I didn’t realize
that he was going as fast as he was,” Yarock said.” He was traveling along so
easily that I wasn’t concerned and when I looked at the time (of the race) I
was thrilled,” Yarock said after his victory. He (Big John B) hasn’t won a race
that fast in years and for me it’s the fastest race that I have ever won.”
For the 10-year-old Artiscape gelding it marked his second
seasonal victory and 36th of his racing career. And for Yarock, a
financial planner by trade, it was his 33rd winning drive since he
became an amateur driver back in 2008.
The CADC Series continues at Monticello Raceway next
Thursday afternoon, May 31.
