By john manzi for NAADA
There
are few amateurs who log as many miles as Steve Oldford. The automotive
manufacturers rep from Croswell, Michigan thinks nothing of hopping a plane to
race in an amateur contest no matter where it is.
On
Thursday, July 23 Oldford winged his way to Monticello Raceway to drive in the
final leg of the 10-race NAADA Spring Series and his efforts paid dividends
when he guided the Dan Gill-trained Up Front N Crazy to a romping 14-length
victory in a time of 2:01.
Although
Up Front N Crazy was sent off at odds of over 9-1 he won like a 1-5 shot. But
there were extenuating circumstances. When Matt Zuccarello’s trotter Gray N
Cloudy-- 5-2 on the tote board—made a break on the first turn it scattered the
field and allowed Oldford’s charge to open up daylight on his competitors.
However,
Oldford’s luck continued when Joe Pannacchio’s Sir Winston, who was following
just two length behind Upfront N Crazy as the two passed the half in 1:00.4 had
nothing in the tank.
“My
horse was empty at that point,” Pennacchio said of his veteran trotter who came
into the race with two consecutive wins in the NAADA Series. “He must have
bled?”
Pennacchio
assumption was correct because at the third stanza Oldford’s trotter had a
seven length lead which was opened to 14 lengths at the finish.
“I
skirted the trouble in the first turn and we trotted clear and when there was
no one around me as we headed for home I actually thought there might have been
more problems for those in the rears,” Oldford said after the race. “But thankfully
there were no more trouble.”
With
Sir Winston fading as he headed to the three quarters it allowed the trotters
in the back of the pack to gain ground quickly on him. Dave Yarock rallied the strongest with CSI
What’s My Name and they finished in second place while Nice Dream, driven by
Gerry Fielding caught Sir Winston yards before the wire to take home the show
dough. Sir Winston held on for fourth money.
For
the record, Picture Perfect, the betting favorite in the race driven by Hannah
Miller, was interfered with by Zuccarello’s breaking horse on the first turn
and went off-stride vanquishing any hope of victory for Miller and those who
wagered on him.
Up
Front N Crazy, owned by Edward Hall, paid $20.60 for win.
A
condition to the series stated that the drivers with the most points who
participated in six of the 10 legs would be eligible to draw for an all expense
trip to Mallorca and join NAADA team who will race against their Spanish
counterparts in a Friendship Competition in
mid-September. However, that drawing, which is forthcoming, will be
announced at a later date by NAADA president, Joe Faraldo.
As
for Oldford, he’s back on the road this time
to drive in the CKG Billings Spring Final which will be contested over
the five-eighths mile oval The Meadows tomorrow night.
