by john manzi for the CKG Billings Series
When
the 36th season of racing in the C.K.G Billings Series kicked off at
Yonkers Raceway on Thursday, March 30 two precedents were set. It was the first
time in a Billings Series opener that a horse got placed first because of a
racing infraction; and it was also the first time in her career that “Hurricane
Hannah” Miller won a race by default.
“I
guess a win is a win no matter how it happens,” said the talented miss, who is
no stranger to the winners circle. “My horse (Winwood Scout) had a second-over
cover trip but when David Glasser’s horse (Celebrity Stimulus) was cited for a
change of direction the stretch and despite being the first under the
wire the judges disqualified him and placed him fourth.”
It
was the second consecutive victory for Miller and Winwood Scout having won a
NAADA trot at Yonkers last week when they teamed-up for a 2:00.1 victory.
However,
Celebrity Stimulus’ driver, David “Poppa” Glasser, was philosophical about the
whole ordeal.
“I
learned a good lesson tonight, and a rather costly one at that. It was a $2200
pain in my wallet,” he said with a laugh.
“I
was on the front-end from the start but in the deep stretch I was so concerned
about beating the outside horse (Wygant Prince) that I let my trotter drift
down into the passing lane which was a violation. I’ll be careful to never let
that happen again.”
The
6-horse field went to post prior to the first race on the betting card. When
the starting judge said ‘go’ Glasser sent Celebrity Stimulus to the lead from
the pole position. They cut fractions of :28.4; :58.3 and they were still
fairly comfortable as they passed the third stanza in 1:29.1 But in the
lane they had company.
At
the wire Winwood Scout was a neck behind the winner and was placed first. Third
under the wire was “Coach Paul” Minore’s Wygant Prince who ended-up it the
place money and The Franchise and driver Bob “the Headhunter” Hechkoff ,was
placed third.
The
race winner, Winwood Scout notched his third consecutive victory. He is trained
by Chris Marino for Howard Jacobs. And for "Hurricane Hannah" Mille,
two time National Amateur Driver of the Year, it was her third seasonal
victory.
