By john manzi for the Billings Series
Vernon,
NY--Two nights ago the Billings Amateur Driver Series was at Batavia Downs
and tonight, Saturday Sept. 23 ,seven members of the granddaddy of all amateur
racing organizations were in Vernon NY for an eastern region trot over the
swift oval at Vernon Downs.
Taking
advantage of the pole position Dein “the Dream” Spriggs hustled
Garlandandpearls away quickly to avoid the confusion caused by breaking
horses at the start of the race and they led the way by the first quarter and
they had three lengths on their competitors as the timer flashed :28.2.
With
the field in ‘Indian file’ (order) behind him Spriggs was able to give his
trotter a breather and they passed the halfway point in a relatively soft
:59.3. But from there the pace quickened and Garlandandpearls seemed easily in
command as he led Toss Cartwright and driver Peter “Enough Talk” Kleinhans by
the third stanza in 1:29.
Around
the final turn Spriggs trotter braced for a challenge from Kleinhan’s charge
but Garlandandpearls was up to the task,kept Toss Cartwright at bay and went on
to a length victory in a 1:57.3 clocking. Third place, some eight lengths
behind the winner, was “Buffalo Bob” Davis with Jelectric, who was stymied at
the beginning of the race.
(By
the way one of Davis’ other horses, Sand Bellini, won the first race on the
card with professional driver Chris Lems at the controls.)
Sent
off as second choice in the wagering Garlandandpeals paid $8.30 for win. The
veteran 6-year-old Futile Qwest gelding is trained by Patti Harmon.
Spriggs
was National Amateur Driver of the Year twice (2004 & 2005),and seems the
be in the hunt for that title again this year as he currently sports a .501UDR
with 14 wins in 33 seasonal drives.
Next
up in Billings action will be Midwest region trot at the Red Mile in Lexington,
Ky.on September 28.
