Arguably there are few drivers who enjoy racing as much as
the amateurs do. They not only don’t earn any money they, in fact, pay for the
right to drive in their amateur series events.
On Thursday (Oct. 2) there were four races strictly for
amateur drivers; one at the Red Mile and three at Yonkers Raceway.
The Red Mile event was billed as a Gentlemen’s Drivers Club
Trot but was filled, for the most part, by Billings members, and to add affront
to the name of the race it was won by a woman, “Soft- Hearted Hannah” Miller.
The trots at Yonkers were for members of the North American
Amateur Drivers Association and when the winners there were Joe Lee, Kelly
”Sky” Walker and Bob “the Headhunter” Hechkoff, familiar names in the Billings
Series.
In the event in Lexington, Ky. Ms. Miller sat back off the
early fractions with Rev It Now and then made a move as the field headed for
the third stanza. They gained command at the head of the stretch and Rev It Now
trotted home a 1:55.4 winner, among the fastest miles ever driven by a lady
driver.
Dave “Linemaster “Ehrenberg followed Miller’s late
moves but his trotter, Keystone Sadie, couldn’t keep up in the lane which
allowed Peter “Sycamore Ventures” Gerry, up behind Hartwell, to finish second a
length or so, behind the winner. Keystone Sadie took home the show dough.
Meanwhile, later that day at Yonkers, NY, 18 amateur
drivers, nearly all also members of the Billings Series, convened to test their
skills behind some spirited steeds.
Joe Lee copped the first NAADA trot when he romped to a six-
length triumph with Well Connected Kid, in a time of 2:00.2 who kicked-in a
:29.1 final panel en route to victory. Homer Jay and “Mighty Matt” Zuccarello
followed Lee’s lead but Homer Jay had to settle for second money. Three lengths
behind them was Jimmer, driven by “Bullet Bob” Davis.
Kelly “Sky” Walker won the second non-betting trot with Rush
N Supreme in a 1:59 clocking but both horse and driver were happy when the wire
seemed to come up in time so Rush N Supreme could hold on to a neck
triumph over Current Crisis and driver by Bobby “Rapid Rail” Krivelin.
Dave “Steady As” Yarock finished third in that mile with Rompaway Alvin.
The third and final NAADA trot went to Get Packin and Bob
“the Headhunter” Hechkoff with a gate to wire victory in a time of 1`:59.1.
They were chased home by Steve “You’re Never Too” Oldford and Celtic Merchant
who took home second money while “Smokin’ Joe, I finally did it” Faraldo
was third best with Nowerland Firebird.
