Although the Billings Trot at the Muskingum County
Fair In Zanesville, Ohio on Monday, August 12th
only had five horses in it not only was it an exciting event but the
crowd especially enjoyed the stretch drive with three horses only heads apart
to the finish.
And like so many tight endings a photo was required to
determine that Wolf’s Jann and driver “Trader Bud” Hatfield had emerged
victorious over Tabulator who was handled by “Marvelous Marv” Raber. Just a bit
farther back in third place was Donnamom and Dave “Linemaster” Ehrenberg
II.
And the 2:03.2 trotting mile over the five- wide
Muskingum County Fair racetrack was remarkable for the short field.
“I had the rail (pole position) and watched
Tabulator take off in a hurry and open up a five- length lead as we headed to
the quarter pole,” Hatfield said. “He’s (Tabulator) a known speed horse and I
was content to follow in the two hole ”
Hatfield had his mare two lengths behind leader at the
half with Donnamom seven lengths back at that point.
Wolf’s Jann had gained the lead coming off the final
turn and kept Tabulator at bay while also holding off the late charge by
Donnamom.
“She’s a pretty nice mare but this year she been
plagued with a cracked bone in her foot and a bad quarter crack,” Hatfield said
about Wolf’sd Jann, a 6 year old daughter of Majestic Victory with over
$172,000 in career earnings.
“Last year she won in 1:55(.1) at the Meadows and earned
over $63,000 for me. She’s only had a few starts this year but she seems to be
coming now.”
Donnamom, off two consecutive Billings victories was sent
off as the 7-10 betting favorite but after a slow start she just couldn’t make
up all the ground she needed in a rather swift mile over the county fair oval.
She too, had foot problems but they were recently rectified.
Reflecting about the new Billings format with regional
championships along the way to the Gold and Silver Cup Finals Hatfield had
nothing but praise for it.
“It makes for a good competitions because more people are
involved and there are a lot of different winners,” he added.
