The outstanding amateur driver whose auto dealership is
among the most prevalent t in Columbus, Ohio, made every pole a winning one en
route to a two length triumph over 20-1 shot Tag the Lady and driver
“Marvelous Marvin” Raber. Third money went to Gracious Man driven by Bob
“ the Lumberman” Troyer.
“My horse was in top form for the race but we got a
little lucky when Dave (Ehrenberg) had to scratch Donnamom because if she
started I believe she would have won it,” Hatfield said. “But she didn’t
go and we ended up the best. That’s horse racing.”
Brother Gus is owned by the Hatfield Stables of
Columbus, Ohio and trained by Brent Davis. The 7-year-old Pegasus Spur gelding
paid $6.60 for win.
Hatfield is nationally recognized as one of the top
amateur drivers in the sport. He was named Amateur Driver of the Year” in 1998
but in recent years he has been driving sparingly.
“A lot of people think I’m out of this thing but I’m coming
back strong to kick butt,” Hatfield said about his involvement this
season in the C.K.G. Billings Amateur (now Harness ) Drivers Series.
Energized from what he sees going on in the state of Ohio,
Hatfield is very optimistic about the future of racing in Buckeye State.
“Things are really picking up at Scioto and all over Ohio
since we got the slots,” he said. “Here at Scioto they refurbished the race
track which is now lightning fast and the crowds are coming back. After some
lean years the atmosphere around here and throughout the state now is great.”
Billings action will continue this weekend with events at
Yonkers Raceway on Friday (June15), at Raceway Park on Saturday
(June 16), and at Buffalo Raceway on Sunday( June 16).
