by John Manzi, for the
Billings Series
NORTHFIELD, Ohio--
For the second time in two weeks Jazmin “the Little Flower” Arnold was
victorious in a CKG Billings Midwest regional trot when she guided Buddy Halley
to a gate-to-wire 1:56.2 triumph at Northfield Park on Sunday night, October
20.
On October 7th,
at the same venue, the talented miss also won a Billings trot there and what
might be more unusual was that the second place finisher in both races was
driven by Michelle the Belle” Ruvola, once again giving the ladies their
respected due.
On Sunday night (Oct 20) the
diminutive miss started from the two hole and quickly grabbed command and
refused to yield when Gregg “Fast Greggy” Keidel came calling with the betting
favorite, Crime Fighter.
The two then raced side by
side past the half in a stiff 56 seconds and they were remained one-two when
they passed the three quarters in 1:25.3. and were still heads apart at the top
of the lane.
Meanwhile, Ruvola, with
Better Call Saul, was sitting comfortably in the two-hole right from the reel
and when the leaders turned for home Ruvola came off the pylons and her trotter
battled bravely with Buddy Hally all the way to the wire but Ms Arnold's charge
was not to be denied and hung gamely for a length victory over Better Call
Saul. Bob “the Lumberman” Troyer took home third money with Ubanji. And after a
grueling parked-out trip Crime Fighter faded but still finished fourth, beaten
just a little more than three lengths.
Buddy Hally, a 9-year-old
Angus Hll gelding, is owned by Joseph Varga and trained by Herman Hagerman. He
paid $6.80 for win.
However, with her victory,
the 5-foot; two inch Jazmin Arnold now has 19 wins, 8 seconds and 5 thirds in
51 seasonal starts good for a .492 UDR.
