Sunday, October 12 in Saratoga Springs NY was an absolutely
beautiful day, weather wise, and for Steve” You’re Never Too” Oldford and
“Bullet Bob” Davis it was equally grand because both gentlemen drivers won
their respective divisions of the CKG Billings Harness Driving Series
which was part of the 13- race program presented that day at the Spa City
oval.
Winning a horse race as a non-professional is always a great
pleasure but for Bob Davis his victory in front of his hometown crowd and that
he won his contest with Jimmer, a horse named for Jimmer Fredette, one of the
greatest college basketball players to ever come out of Saratoga County,
only made Davis’ victory all that more sweet.
“Jimmer just came off a three month layoff and is just
rounding into form after a qualifier and a second place finish in a NAADA trot
at Yonkers (Raceway) “Davis said via a telephone.” He’s a pretty nice trotter
when he’s right.”
In their contest Davis left softly with Jimmer and found a
hole in fifth position as the field headed for the quarter pole. Content to
stay put until the backside it was there that Davis moved behind cover and then
went three deep and the altered son of Equinox Bi zipped right around everyone
and took command with less than a quarter mile to go.
“Once we made the front I knew Jimmer was the best and he
trotted home an easy winner in (1):59 and two,” Davis added
Second place went to Dave “Steady As” Yarock with Rompaway
Alvin while another hometowner,
Simeon “Hot Rod” Hunsdon, picked up the show
dough with Jolie’s Prayer.
Jimmer is trained by David Corlew and co-owned by Davis and
Terry Vanvalkenburgh. He paid
$9.90 for win.
The second Billings trot saw hot-handed Steve Oldford once again
take home the lion’s share of the $5500 purse money when he guided his own
Magglio to a 1:59.4 victory over Bobby “Rapid Rail” Krivelin and Current
Crisis. Third place went to the betting favorite Bit O Victory, in rein to
“Mighty Matt” Zuccarello.
“When the gate sprung I sent Magglio toward the front but I
found a spot in third position as we trotted to the first panel,” Oldford
related.
From there Oldford was content to follow the pace set by Bob
Davis and Conway Cruiser until he felt it was time to move.
“When we neared the three quarters I squeezed out between
horses and took the lead as we headed around the paddock turn. Krivelin was
tight on my back and he aped my every move but when we straightened for home my
horse was the strongest and we won it by a littler more than a length.” ,,”
Oldford added.
Owned by Steve Oldford and the Oldford Farms LLC, and
trained by Allen Sisco, Magglio returned an $8.90 win mutuel to those who
backed him.
On Monday, October 20, the Billings Series will have its initial
competitions over the 5/8th mile oval at the new Dayton Raceway.
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