Hatfield won the 1-1/4 mile contest with Wolf’s Jann in a
time of 2:31.2 and Faraldo’s victory came behind Travelin Preacher in 2:31.4,
also at a distance of 1-1/4 miles.
In the Gold Cup Championship Trader Bud floated away
from the gate with his trotting mare and once Bob “the Headhunter” Hechkoff ,
who was in front of him on the limb, found a hole with Tremendous Hit
Hatfield decided to go the lead. Once he settled in on top Hatfield and Wolf’s
Jann coasted along by open lengths over the nine others in the contest. However
in the homestretch Hechkoff rallied his trotter and
they charged at Hatfield but Wolf’s Jann had enough in the tank to fend
off her challenger and score the victory, which by the way, was
her fourth consecutive in the Billings Series.
Tremendous Hit and Hechkoff took home second money
and Mike “the Mortgage Man” Mitchell was third best with B L Class Act.
“I didn’t want to be on the front-end but I had no
choice after Bob (Hechkoff) got a hole. It was a slow quarter so I decided to
go on to the front, “ Hatfield explained. “She’s (Wolf’s Jann) been racing well
lately so I just kept he busy and when we headed into the final turn I opened
her up a bit and we needed the three -length lead we had because,
not racing a mile and a quarter, I knew she’s be a bit tired at the end.
But the old gal had enough to win it.”
Wolf’s Jann was sent off at odds of4-5 and paid $3.60 for
win. She’s owned by her driver.
In the Silver Cup Final, Faraldo made the best of racing
luck and followed cover early with Travelin Preacher which eventually carried
him all the way to the finish line where the duo ended up a solid one-length
winner. They trotted by their cover, Howmuchubench and Kelly
“Sky” Walker, in the deep stretch who had to a settle for
second place . Famous Image and “Iron Mike” Eaton took home the show
dough.
“ I have to thank Kelly Walker for carrying me all the way,”
Faraldo said. “He had the favorite(Howmuchubench) on the rail and they
got away some five lengths off the gate when the race started. It was perfect
for me because I got away slowly and when Kelly pulled-- around the
three –eighths-- I trotted along four of five steps and then said to
myself ‘ get out behind him stupid’ he’s the best in the race.
“I pulled my horse(Travelin Preacher) out behind him
and we shadowed Kelly all the way to the deep stretch and when he went to the
whip I knew we’d win it because my horse was still full of trot.”
Travelin Preacher, owned by Faraldo and Joseph Vance, paid
$16.20 for win.
