by
john manzi for the CKG Billings Series
“Tiny
Tim” Miller is a happy man tonight. And why shouldn’t he be? After all he
guided longshot Vaya Con Dios to a stunning 1:57.2 victory in the Midwest
region CKG Billings Trot at Northfield Park on the ides of June.
What
made Miller’s win most impressive what the fact that his trotter was sent off
at odds of 23-1 and was six-length winner over favored Heza Rube driven by Bob
“the Lumberman: Troyer. And add that it
was “Tiny Tim’s” first time ever sitting behind the 6 year old altered son of
Conway Hall.
Taking
advantage of starting along the pylons from post position nine, Miller got away
in good shape following T K’s Jelly Belly ( Dave “Linemaster” Ehrenberg) who
parked Celtic Merchant and Steve “You’re Never Too” Oldford before yielding
command before the first quarter timer flashed :28.2.
After
Oldford’s veteran trotter cleared he led the way to the half-way point in :58.2
with the odds-on betting favorite, Heza Rube, shuffled back after having
started from post six in the nine-horse field.
As
the field headed into the clubhouse turn Troyer set Heza Rube in motion and
began his way toward the leaders. However, Celtic Merchant still got first call
as he passed the third stanza in1:28 with Vaya Con Dios in hot pursuit on the
outside just a neck behind the pace-setter. At that point Heza Rube was in
fifth position.
When
the trotters rounded the final turn Vaya Con Dios trotted to the lead and had
three lengths on his competition as they straightened for home. Celtic Merchant
tired and although Heza Rube rallied still Miller’s trotter was lengths in
front and was home free.
At
the finish, Vaya Con Dios was an easy six–length winner over Heza Rube who
finished neck ahead of Celtic Merchant.
Vaya
Con Dios, owned by J M F Racing and trained by J D Wengerd, paid a whopping
$48.60 for win. It was the first
seasonal driving victory for the Wilmot, Ohio native and the 36th
since Miller began amateur driving in 2001.
Next
Billings action will be in the eastern region on Friday night (June 17) at the
Meadowlands where two Billings trots dot the 11-race betting card there.
