by john manzi for the Billings Series
“The
Lumberman” and his trusty steed are at it again. After a slow start this season
Bob “Lumberman” Troyer and Heza Rube were once again in the
winner’s circle after they scored a 1:57.3 victory in the $5000
midwest region Billings Trot on Friday night (June 2) at Scioto Downs.
It
was both the horse’s and driver’s first win this year and despite being one of
the toughest horses in their division last season Heza Rube was dismissed
by the betting public and sent off at odds of over 9-1.
After
staring cautiously from the two-hole Troyer eased his trotter away from the
gate and allowed Dave “Linemaster” Ehrenberg and TK’s Jelly Belly to take
command and lead the field by a :28.3 first quarter.
No
sooner had the field settled than Steve “You’re Never Too” Oldford moved
favored Ponda’s Lexus to the front and they were in command
before the :57.0 half.
Meanwhile
Troyer sat chilly and watched the race developing in front of him and when the
field headed for the third stanza Troyer had Heza Rube out and going and
they circled the leaders as the three quarter timer flashed 1:27.4.
Once
on top Troyer and Heza Rube opened up a three length lead as they rounded the
final turn and they were well in command as the field headed for paydirt.
Ponda’s Lexus was still in second place at that point but he was
overtaken for the place money by Catch Jessie (Gregg “Fast Greggy”
Keidel). But nobody was catching Heza Rube as the Master Lavec gelding trotted
on to a five length victory, the veteran 7-year-old’s 25th of
his stellar career.
Owned
by Troyer and trained by Marty Wollam, Heza Rube paid $21.00 for
win and upped his lifetime earnings to nearly $224,000 And for
Troyer it was his 83rd winning drive of his amateur career.
Next
Billings action will be on Friday, June 9th at The Meadowlands.
