by john manzi for the Billings
Amateur Driving Series
Northfield,
Ohio-- On a night that the participating amateur drivers probably would
rather have sat it out because of the inclement weather still eight veterans
from the Midwest region of the CKG Billings Harness Driving Series ventured to
Northfield Park for a trotting contest on Wednesday evening (Sept. 6) which saw
Ned “Insurance Man” Hodkinson take no prisoners and make every pole a winning
one en route to a 2:00.1 victory with his own Mutinyonthebounty.
After
a day inundated with rain Mutinyonthebounty, second choice in the wagering,
found the wet going to his liking and after starting from the pole position in
the eight-horse field Hodkinson zipped him to the lead and they had command
early passing the first stanza in :29.2.
Despite
Oneeyedmomma (Bob “Lumberman” Troyer) and Rush N Supreme (Kelly “Sky” Walker)
stuck on the limb Hodkinsons charge was undeterred and trotted by the halfway
point in 1:00.2 with the betting favorite, Song In My Heart and “Tiny Tim”
Miller, getting a two-hole journey.
As
the field headed for the three quarters and parked horses faded, Miller moved
Song In My Heart out to challenge for the lead but Mutinyonthebounty was able
to rebuff him and then open some daylight as they rounded the final turn and
headed for paydirt.
In
the lane it was all Mutinyonthebounty and he reported home a 1-1/2 length
winner over Song In My Heart. Third place went to Upfront Chip Daddy driven by
Michelle “the Belle” Ruvola.
It
was the second victory of the season for Mutinyonthebounty who returned a $7.20
mutuel. And for Hodkinson, who doubles as the horse’s owner and trainer , it
was his 56th career driving victory.
