by john manzi for the Billings Series
Lexington,
Ky--Patience my boy is what Steve “You’re Never Too” Oldford was
probably telling himself as he sat calmly in the catbirds seat with Gonna Fly
as “Hurricane Hannah” Miller and Pine Tab, slugged it out with Gregg
“Fast Greggy” Keidel’s Tinder in the Billings trot at the Red Mile on Thursday
evening, September 28. And after early fractions of :27.4 and :55.2 the leaders
were all in.
The
speed duel up front was what the doctor ordered for Oldford as his charge
enjoyed cover all the way to the top of the stretch before they rallied between
horses to take command of the nine-horse as they headed for paydirt. Then in
the deep stretch Oldford and his trotter went on to a solid 1:55:4 victory over
“Hot Rod” Debeck’s Fairground Drama as the race leaders faded.
Third
place went to Moon In My Shine with Julie “the former Hawkeye”Miller subbing
from Dave “Linemaster” Ehrenberg who was still in Florida working to help
locals damaged by the recent hurricane .
“Allen
Sisco,( the horse’s trainer) shipped him all the way from Yonkers for the race
tonight and though we’ve (Oldford Racing) owned him for nearly a year this is
the first time that I sat behind him,” Oldford said referring to Gonna Fly.
“We
sure got lucky with Hannah and Gregg going at it and they carried us to the
homestretch where I found a seam between horses and when it opened I pulled the
(ear)plugs and Gonna Fly exploded. I mean he really took off and we were easy
winners.”
Sent
off as the favorite in the race from the seven-hole Gonna Fly returned a $4.60
mutuel As aforementioned , Gonna Fly is owned by Oldford Racing and
trained by Allen Sisco.
For
Steve Oldford, a former National Amateur Driver of the Year, it was his 12th
seasonal driving victory and the 128th of his amateur career.
