by
john manzi, for the Billings Series
Harness
racing's greatest traveling roadshow, the CKG Billings Harness Driving Series,
was on the move again on Friday, May 18 with a trot in the series mid-west
region at Scioto Downs and when it was completed Ned “the Insurance Man”
Hodkinson emerged victorious with his old warhorse, Mutinyonthebounty after
they turned back seven others in the 2:00.1 trotted mile.
Hodkinson, a longtime member
of the Billings Series notched his 60th driving victory.
Up behind his 9-year-old
Mutineer gelding Hodkinson made the trotter's seasonal debut a winning one.
After
starting from the two-hole as the race's betting favorite, Hodkinson sent his
charge to the front when the wings of the mobile gate folded and took command
before the first stanza, which was clocked in 29 seconds.
From
there it was catch me if you can as Hodkinson kept the pedal to the metal as
they showed the way past the half in 1:00.3. And when they went by the third
quarter in 1:30 Mutinyonthebounty was still safely in command.
As
the field headed for home Steve “You're Never Too” Oldford came charging from
the middle of the pack with Smoother Ride and as the two trotters approached
the finish line they were heads apart. But Mutinyonthebounty was up for the
challenge and staved off his competitor for a neck victory. Big Bro finished
third for “Tiny Tim” Miller.
“He was real sharp in his seasonal debut,” Hodkingson said of
Mutinyonthebounty who came into this race off a 1:58 qualifier. “We gained
command rather easily and were coasting along on the lead until Michelle
(Ruvolo, with Upfront Chip Daddy) challenged us up the backstretch. After we
put her away my horse had a three length lead and in mid-stretch, without any
horses around, he got lazy but still he had enough in the tank to hold off
Steve's horse and get the win.”
Hodkinson
also trains Mutinyonthebounty who paid $3.40 for win.
Next
up in the Billings Series is a trot in the eastern region at Freehold Raceway
tomorrow (May 19).
The next Midwest region action is slated for May 26 at
Hoosier Park.
