Veteran amateur reinsman, Bob “the Rapid Rail” Krivelin won
the wagering event with Permanent Joy in a time of 1:59.1 to score his
135th driving victory while 17-year-old newcomer, Philip “Sharky”
Antonacci took home the lion’s share of the non-wagering trot with Papas Moni
in a 1:59.1 clocking marking the youngster’s first winning drive
and his first Billings triumph.
Krivelin exhibited logic in winning his race
when he came from 10th at the half to rally to a two length
victory over Drill Sergeant Sam driven by Peter “the Past
President” Gerry. Swagger Begonia and John “Johnny Camps” Campagnuolo was
another length in rears in third place.
“Normally in these Billings races everybody leaves and
tonight it was a cavalry charge into the first turn so I took back even
though I thought I had the best horse,” Krivilen related. “
Then I waited.. and when no one moved going to the half I pulled and think I
caught a few off guard because I came from last at the time.
“I got alongside the leaders as we passed the third quarter
and I just kept my horse moving. We went three deep and were on Pennacchio’s
horse’s throat latch around the turn and at the top of the stretch
when we headed for home my horse was the strongest to the wire.”
Sent off at odds of 7-2 Permanent Joy, owned by the Hero
Stables, paid $7.00.
In then other split young Antonacci handled himself like a
veteran when he left a from the seven hole and fell in third
heading to the quarter as Dave “Steady As” Yarock and Kris’s Legacy led
the way.
When Yarock’s trotter started to get away from the field
going to the halfway point Antonacci moved first-up and Papas Moni and
Kris’s Legacy raced head to head by the third stanza. But from there it was all
“Sharky” as he and Papas Moni trotted off to a three- length triumph over
Famous Image driven by “On The Mark” Eaton. Third place went to Cuzzin Rob
handled by Mark “Wakefern” Schullstrom.
“ It was my first win and it felt great, almost surreal
especially at a place like the Meadowlands, “young Antonacci said after
his driving victory.” I left out of there pretty good and sat the three hole
and pulled first up at the half and ended up clearing at the 3/4. From there it
was smooth sailing home.”
Asked if the bubbly flowed after his win Antonacci
wasted no time in responding: “Nope (I) had to work the rest of the
night( had two other horses in). My dad and brother Frank were really proud of
me and were happy with the way I drove. “
Papas Moni is owned by K R Breeding
Also on the betting card were two amateur paces in the new
GSY Series. The first event was won by Sharron R driven by Brad
Rathbone while the other was copped by Hendrix handled by Saratoga
Raceway’s racing secretary Don Hoover
