For the second time in recent weeks there has been
racing action in both the Billings Series and the NAADA[i] Trotting Series on the same day which is
indicative of the growing popularity of amateur driving.
On Thursday, (Sept 29) in Billings action at The Red
Mile in Louisville, Ky., “Hurricane Hannah” Miller, after a stellar showing in
the recently completed World Cup of Amateur Racing in Budapest, Hungary, added
to her seasonal totals by reining Jack To Open to a 1:56.4 victory. Meanwhle,
several hundred miles away at Yonkers Raceway in New York in the NAADA Trotting
Series, Joe Lee scored a 1:59.2 victory with Four Starz Credit in their split
while Bobby Krivelin was a 1:58.3 winner in his division behind P C’s
Wildcard.
At The Red Mile “Hurricane Hannah” notched her 28th
seasonal driving victory. After leaving strongly from the three-hole with
Jack’s To Open they took command before the first stanza which was trotted in
:28.2. Being pressured by a parked-out Bold Strike, driven by
Steve”You’re Never Too” Oldford, both trotters were just heads apart at
the half in :57.0. But when Bold Strike began to fade “Buffalo Bob” Davis hustled
80-1 shot Facing Justice up to challenge Jacks To Open and the two were
just heads apart as they straightened for home. However, Miller’s charge
was game and held off Bold Strike by a length at the wire. Third place went to
Rompaway Beau, driven by “Lawbook Larry” Farley.
“Hannah said she loves coming to Lexington and it's a
great place to race,” trainer Nick Surick said. “She said she was a little
nervous around last turn when Bob Davis flipped three wide with a strong
challenge but ‘Jack’ dug in and got the job done for Hannah.”
Jack’s To Open paid $3.20 for win. He’s owned by his
driver and the Nick Surick Stable and trained by Surick. Besides her 28 wins
Hurricane Hannah has 20 seconds and six thirds for a .434UDR.
Also on tap on Thursday night was the
second leg of the NAADA Fall trotting Series in which Joe Lee took no
prisoners in his division. He sent Four Starz Credit for the lead and after
gaining command they remained nearly unchallenged from there to the wire.
My horse raced great,” Lee said after the race. “Alan
(Schwartz with Linda Marie)) let me cut the mile and although I had some mild
pressure to the half by John Kokinos and Cassa’s Image, my horse scooted off to
win pretty easily.”
At the finish Four Starz Credit was a solid five-length
winner over I’m Fabulous, driven by John Turock. Cassa’s Image held on
for the show dough.
Four Starz Credit is owned by Eric Prevost and trained
by Tom Milici. Joe Lee, the locker room manager for the New York Yankees,
notched his eighth seasonal driving victory and 18th of his
fledgling driving career.
The other non-betting trot saw Bobby Krivein hustle
PC’s Wildcard to the lead and once on top Krivelin played catch me if you can;
and no one could, as the 7-year-old altered son of Sand Chaser trotted
the final four furlongs in :58 en route to a three-length triumph over Signal
Hill OK and driver Joe Faraldo. Third place went to Wygant Prince, handled by
Paul Minore.
PC’s Wildcard is owned by the Joe P Racing Stable and
trained by Dan Altman. For Krivelin, a three time national Amateur Driver of
the Year, it was his 14th seasonal triumph and the 198th
of his career.
