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Sunday, August 14, 2016

DAVID “POPPA” GLASSER; BILLINGS TROT WINNER AT VERNON DOWNS ON SAT. AUGUST 13

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.