by john manzi for the Billings Series
Now
in its 36th season, harness racing’s greatest traveling sideshow,
the C.K.G. Billings Amateur Driving Series, moved on to the mile track at the
Meadowlands on Friday, June 9 for a contest in the weries eastern region and
when the judges posted the results of that race Peter “Enough Talk” Kleinhans emerged
victorious with Toss Cartwright in a 1:56.2 clocking.
Although
Kleinhans is a member of multiple amateur clubs and has driven abroad in many
amateur events his victory tonight marks his first win as a member of the
Billings Series. And one could surmise that his win came as a result of
patience.
When
the wings of the mobile gate closed Kleinhans floated away to a slow start from
the six-hole and found no spots along the pylons. But as the field headed to
the halfway point “Hurricane Hannah” Miller moved the betting favorite, Pine
Tab, out to challenge for the lead which gave Kleinhans veteran 6-year old
cover as the field headed up the backside.
By
the third stanza Pine Tab had taken command with Toss Cartwright in hot
pursuit. When they rounded the last turn and headed for home Pine Tab had a
length lead which was slowly diminishing as the leaders headed for paydirt. In
the deep stretch Toss Cartwright mounted a late surge and got up for a head
victory over Pine Tab. In third place, five lengths behind the winner, was
Keystone Thomas, driven by Bob “the Headhunter” Hechkoff.
It
was the second seasonal victory for Toss Cartwright who raised his lifetime
earnings to nearly $125,000. John McDermott, Jr. trains the
6-year-old Muscles Yankee gelding for owner Collen Cash.
For
the multi-talented Kleinhans it was his 53rd career driving victory.
