There’s something to be said about being at the right place
at the right time, although when a horse has to start from the seven-hole one
wouldn’t think it to be in the right spot. But in the Billings Trot at Freehold
Raceway on September 21 staring on the outside was the right place for “Coach
Paul” Minore and Wygant Prince as they skirted the breaking
horses on the first turn and ended up with a good trip to win the contest
in 2:01.1.
“Although we got off to a slow start it worked in our favor
when four horses broke early in the race,” Minore said. “I was able to get around
them and work out a good trip after that.”
Seven lengths off the lead the quarter Minore benefited by
a speed duel up front between Peter “the Past President” Gerry,
with Conway Cruiser on the inside, and Bob “the Headhunter”
Hechkoff, with Tremendous Hit on the outside.
As the leaders were heading to the half in 58.3 Minore moved
Wygant Prince out behind Tremendous Hit and followed cover up the
backside.
A three- deep move nearing the three quarters
didn’t get Minore’s trotter around Trendous Hit but both
horses were a side by side as they headed for paydirt.
“I couldn’t believe that Tremendous Hit didn’t tire after
being parked the whole mile and we had all we wanted to beat him,” Minore
admitted. “ We finally collared him in the final strides to win by
just a head.”
Five lengths farther back in third place was
Whatnblazes driven by Dave “Yes It’s True” Offenberg. Gerry’s trotter faded and
finished fifth.
Sent off as third choice in the race Wygant Prince paid
$9.60 for win. Minore, now with 71 wins under his belt ,is a retired high
school coach from Yardley, NJ and he often talks about his most
prized pupil ,former Olympian and world record holder, Carl Lewis.
Next action in the CKG Billings Harness Drivers Series
will be at The Red Mile in Lexington, KY on Thursday, Sept. 26.
