By john manzi for the Billings
Series
Harness
racing’s greatest traveling roadshow, the CKG Billings Amateur Driving Series,
moved on to Freehold Raceway on Saturday afternoon (April 22) where a seven-horse
field went to post and when the judges hung the official sign Bobby “Rapid
Rail” Krivelin emerged victorious with his own Permanent Joy in a 2:01:1
clocking.
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In a race marred by
breaking horses on the first turn “Hurricane Hannah” Miller cleared the
confusion with Winwood Scout from the seven- hole but had to sizzle to a
:28.4 first quarter which arguably took its toll later in the race.
She did get her trotter a breather but “Buffalo Bob” Davis kept the
pressure on with Mr. Butterworth.
However, the eventual
winner, Permanent Joy wasn’t quite as lucky in clearing the breaking horses
.
“Permanent Joy is handy
little horse so I was able to avoid the confusion On the first turn but by
then I was 10 lengths back of two leaders,” Krivelin related via email.
As the field headed up
the backside the final time around Winwood Scout was joined by Permanent
Joy and from there a battle ensued.
“Once I caught the field I felt I had a shot (to win). Coming
around the final turn I thought I would go right by Hannah (with Winwood
Scout) but she did a great job keeping her horse alive and we battled till
the (finish) line. Fortunately I came out on top.”
The margin of victory had to be determined by the photo-finish camera
and when the judges developed the print Permanent Joy won by a head.
Third place went to Windsong Illusion driven by “Slate Hill Allen”
Sisco.
The crowd sent the winner off at odds of over 7-1 and Permanent Joy
returned $16.80 to those who backed him.
Krivelin owns and trains the veteran 9-year-old Permanent Vocation
gelding who years ago was the State of Maine’s 3 year old
trotting champion. For Permanent Joy it was the trotter’s second seasonal
victory and for Krivelin, a three-time National Amateur Driving Champion,
it was his fifth win in just nine seasonal starts.
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