by john manzi for the CKG Billings Amateur
Driving Series
Harness
racing’s greatest traveling sideshow, the CKG Billings Amateur Driving Series,
moved on to Vernon Downs 9/10ths-mile oval for an eastern region
contest on Thursday evening, August 13. And when that trot was declared
official, David “Poppa” Glasser and Celebrity Stimulus emerged victorious in a
1:57 clocking.
it
seems there’s an old adage about driving in a harness race which states, if you
feel your horse is the best send him to the lead and if he gets beat on the
front-end he probably wasn’t the best.
According
to the driver David Glasser only the first part of that statement is correct
because after his front end journey with Celebrity Stimulus his trotter hung
game and scored neck victory over “Tough Tony” Ciufettelli’s, Star Studded
Cast, who enjoyed a two-hole journey.
Glasser
sent Celebrity Stimulus to the lead from the six-hole and they had command at
the first stanza in a snappy :27.3 with Star Studded Cast tucked comfortably in
the two-hole.
The
two leaders were raced one-two past the half in :58.2 and when the field
straightened up the backside “Bullet Bob” Davis make a serious challenge with
Shelikescandy and they reached the third stanza in 1:27.4 only a head behind
the leader. On the final turn Celebrity Stimulus trotted away from Davis’ mare
but then had to contend with Ciufettelli’s Star Studded Cast who drew alongside
the Celebrity Stimulus as the two headed for paydirt.
A
serious stretch duel then ensued and although Star Studded Cast was giving his
best efforts Celebrity Stimulus battled back and hung gamely for a neck
victory. Shelikescandy and Bob Davis took home the show.
Glasser
owns the winner who’s trained by Homer Hochstetler. A 9-5 favorite on the
morning line Celebrity Stimulus went off at odds of 3.65-1 and paid $9.30 for
win. It was the third winning drive this season for Glasser, who is the
president of a litigation support company.
