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Friday, October 12, 2012

CKG Billings - Dr. MIKE CASTON WINS BILLINGS TROT AT LANCASTER,OHIO

Affectionately known as the “Doo Wop Doc” , on October 12 Dr. Mike Caston  vanned his trotter Merlincrest to the  Fairfield County Fair in Lancaster, Ohio and then drove the horse to a 2:06.4  victory in a Billings Series Trot. They finished  some  2-1/2 lengths ahead of Cash on the Rail, driven by  Victor “Pop” Gray Sr. “Michelle the Belle” Ruvola  took home the show dough with Cabo Blue.

After leaving from the pole position Caston allowed Smokestacks and driver “Tiny Tim Miller to take command on the first turn. Once  in front Miller yielded  to  Littlebitofhoney and Dave “Linemaster” Ehrenberg . But that lead was short-lived.
Knowing Ehrenberg’s trotter is prone to making breaks, nearing the half Caston moved his trotter out from the three hole  and  Merlincrest raced head to head with Littlebitofhoney around the turn and up the backside. As they approached the third stanza Eherenberg’s trotter went off-stride and  Merlincrest and the “Doo Wop Doc” sailed to the lead and coasted  home an easy winner.

Caston, a  Veterinarian  Medical Officer  for the Federal Government  since 1997 and a fancier of doo wop music,  was thrilled after his driving victory.
“ I knew my horse  was going to go good mile because he’s been training real good,” Caston offered when contacted by telephone. “When we drew the rail I was pretty confident in our chances. We got a few good breaks and things went our way (in the race). But that doesn’t always happen so I was thrilled to win it.”

Prior to working for the federal government Caston  was part of a three-man team practicing  veterinarian medicine at  Detroit Race Course.
“We worked on thoroughbreds  there but being from New York I always loved the trotters,” Caston explained.  “So in  the late (19)70’s I bought one (a  trotter) got my license and I’ve been driving occasionally ever since. ” I like to drive and  when you win, let me tell you,  there’s no better feeling.”