“It was a lot of fun” Dr. John Kokinos said with a big grin
as he approached the winners circle at Monticello Raceway after he scored a
2:02 trotting victory in the NAADA Charity Series with Impressive Earl on
Thursday afternoon, December 5. It was Kokinos’ third victory with the 10 year
old Valley Victory gelding in the series and sixth overall this season.
Light rain and heavy fog made for a gloomy afternoon of
racing but that didn’t dampen the spirits of Dr. John or Impressive Earl, nor
did it deter any bettors whose confidence sent the pair away as even money
favorites from pole position.
As the wings of the starting gate folded Kokinos
gunned his trotter to the lead on the first turn as the trailing horses ducked
for cover along the pylons. With the field in straight alignment
Impressive Earl showed the way buy the quarter in 30.0 and the veteran trotter
had two lengths on his competition as he passed the halfway point in 1:01.3
.
As Kokinos and his trotter headed up the backside the
second time around they began to open daylight on Tremendous Hit and
driver Bob Hechkoff, who was in the two-hole from the get-go.
Moreover, none of the trotters were able to even get close
to the leader as Impressive Earl opened up his lead to three lengths as
he passed the third stanza in 1:32.
On the final turn Impressive Earl came out of the fog which
shrouded the racetrack with a four length lead. In the lane Impressive Earl
poured it on and finished an easy seven length winner over Tremendous
Hit. Tony Verruso got Rodeo Red up for the show dough.
Owned by Jennifer Lappe the winner paid $4.00 for win.
From the trotter’s prowess Dr. John Kokinos will finish as
the series points champion even though there is still one more leg at Yonkers
next Thursday. No one is close enough to top Dr. John’s 48 points.
Currently Paul Minore is second with 29 points and Monica
Banca’s 28 is third best. They’re followed by Bob Krivelin (21); Bob Davis
(20), Dave Offenberg (20) and Dave Yarock (19). Three are tied for eighth
each with 17 points. They are Gerry Fielding, Tony Verruso and Bob Hechkoff.
However, since only eight drivers can race in the $12,000
Final set for December 19 , the last preliminary leg , also at Yonkers on
December 12 , will probably define the top eight in points.
