by john manzi for the CKG
Billings Series
Meadowlands, Pa-The
ever traveling CKG Billings Amateur Driving Series was on the move again on
Saturday afternoon (July 14) for a $10,000 mid-west region trot at The Meadows
in western Pennsylvania and when the results were deemed official Tom “Mayhem”
Svrcek notched his first seasonal driving victory when he rallied Upfront
Charlieboy to a stunning come-from-behind victory over eight others in a 2:00.2
clocking.
Svrcek, an insurance man by
profession, made his first start in this years Billings Series a winning one
after finishing off the board in most of his 20 previous non-amateur events.
“Fifteen years ago I raced
in the Billings but my work schedule made it hard over the ensuing years to
drive regularly,” noted Svrcek. “Its been a while since I won a race and this
victory today was extra-special considering the fact that my horse was eighth
at the half and finished like gangbusters.”
When the wings of the mobile
gate folded the betting favorite, Rufus DeVie, driven by Steve “You're Never
Too” Oldford, went off-stride before the start as Mutinyonthebounty and Ned “the
Insurance Agent” Hodkinson scooted to the front as the first quarter timer
flashed :29.2 They were followed closely by BL Class Act and driver, Mike “the
Mortgage Man” Mitchell and at this point Upfront Charlieboy was eight lengths
off the lead in seventh place.
Meanwhile, Hodkinson and his
charge showed the way past the half in 1:00.2 followed closely by
Mitchell's
trotter. As they headed for the three quarters Mutinyonthebounty seemed well in
hand as he led the field (the eventual winner still some seven lengths behind)
all the way to the top of the stretch. But at that point the leader's lights
seemed to dim as he faded and Svrcek had Upfront Charlieboy in high gear.
When the field headed for
home Upfront Charlieboy still had a lot ground to make up but the 10-year-old
Cantab Hall gelding fired on all fours and surged to the lead before the wire
and kept Better Call Saul (“Michelle the Belle” Ruvola) at bay for a head
triumph in 2:00.2. BL Class Act finished third. Mutinyonthebounty faded to
fifth.
“My horse has no gate speed
that's why we got away so badly,” Svrcek explained. “But he loves to stalk and
when I finally got a chance to show him daylight the old fella knew just what
to do.”
Trained by Bill Fahy and
owned by his wife Moira, Upfront Charlieboy paid $10.60.
