by John Manzi for the AHDC
Freehold, NJ—Another $9000 amateur trot in
the American Harness Drivers Club is now in the books after “Coach Paul” Minore
gunned If I Must to the lead from the five-hole and then proceeded to make
every pole a winning one en route to 2-1/4 length victory in 2:00.4 over seven
others at Freehold Raceway on Saturday afternoon (Oct 24).
Mugshot Jess, driven by Pearly Allen, got all the
early betting money and was sent away as the 1-2 favorite but road trouble from
the six-hole never allowed him to contend until it was too late.
After he grabbed the lead in a soft :30.2 first
quarter Minore tapped the breaks and led Fji (Dave Offenberg) by the first
stanza and they were one-two by the half in 1:01:2 while Mugshot Jess was
stalled by breaking horses on the first turn.
A lazy Tough Get Going (Joe Faraldo) who was in
third place behind the leaders early, had trouble chasing the top two and in
doing so it kept the trailers from a clear shot at the leaders.
It was still If I Must and Fiji showing the way as
the field rounded the final turn and in the lane the former opened daylight on
the latter and coasted to an easy victory. Mugshot Jess finally shook free but
too late to do any damage to the leaders and had to settle for third money.
If I Must, a 5-year-old altered son of Muscles
Yankee, is owned by his driver and trained by Taylor Gower. He was sent off as
third choice in the contest and returned a $14.70 win mutuel.
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