by john manzi for the Billings Series
Harness
racing’s greatest traveling roadshow moved on to the hallowed grounds at
Delaware, Ohio for two trotting events in the CKG Billings Amateur
Driving Series on Sunday, September18. And when the judges hung the official
signs upon the completion of those races “Yankee Joe” Lee and Bob “the
Lumberman” Troyer each emerged victorious in their respective splits. Lee won
with A Crown For Lindy in 1:58.3 while Troyer scored behind Heza Rube in 2:00.
Speaking
of hallowed grounds, Joe Lee works at one of the most famous ballparks in
America that being Yankee Stadium. His profession is being the Yankees locker
room manager where he has been among the Bronx Bombers on a regular basis year
in and year out.. Although Lee takes that all in stride his first time at
driving a winner over the Delaware, Ohio double-oval was tremendous thrill for
him.
“Last
year I finished second and this was my first win at the Home of the Little
Brown Jug,” Lee said. “I can’t tell you how thrilling that was. And to be
standing in that winners circle, wow!”
But
victory didn’t come easy.
“I
had the four-hole today and left out of there but the holes all closed up so I
brushed to the lead past the quarter," Lee related."From there I
think I rated my horse pretty well the rest of the way. Dein (Spriggs with Bold
Strike) and I battled down the stretch and my horse dug in the last five steps
and held Dein’s horse off by a head at the wire.”
Although
they were one-two almost all the way, in the lane Dein “the Dream”
Spriggs hustled Bold Strike out to challenge but they fell a neck shy to
A Crown or Lindy. Third place went to the second longest shot on the board,
Numbers Game, who was driven by Kenny “the Farmer” Heins.
A
Crown For Lindy, who returned a $9.60 win mutuel, is owned and trained by Laura
Searway. Lee, with seven wins, nine seconds, and six thirds is having his best
year while enjoying his times in the sulky.
A
second Billings division saw “the Lumberman” sit back in the early going with
Heza Rube then charge three- deep on the final turn and go on to a one length
triumph over Forceful Gale driven by Gregg “Fast Greggy” Keidel.
A
quick early pace was precipitated by a duel when Carl “Big Boy” Easterday, Jr.
played hard ball with “Hurricane Hannah” Miller parking her trotter, Skyway
Cruiser the entire mile and needless to say both participants finished
off the board.
But
Troyer could see trouble in the making and moved Heza Rube as they approached
the half. Heza Rube was in full steam up the backside so Troyer just wheeled
him three- deep on the final turn and together they romped home to
victory while keeping Forceful Gale and “Fast Greggy” at bay. Third place
went to German amateur driver Max “Colonel ” Schultz.
Troyer,
a longtime avid participant in the Billings Series has seen his enthusiasm wane
in recent years but his six wins in 14 starts this season speaks volumes for
Troyer’s talent.
Heza
Rube, owned by Deborah Kvernmo and trained by Miles Wollam, paid $11.60 for
win. It was Troyer’s 81st amateur driving victory.
