Washington, PA — The participating amateurs were able to display their driving talents to perhaps one of the biggest crowds when the drivers in the Midwest Region of the Billings Series gathered for a $10,000 trot on the same day as the Adios Pace Eliminations at the Meadows on Saturday (July 20).

Perhaps it was the big crowds that brought out the best in Brent “the Zanesville Clipper” Davis as he sat a pocket all the way to the top of stretch and then rallied Beatrice to a 1-1/4 length triumph in 1:58 in a race where just 2/5 of-a-second separated the winner from the horse that finished sixth.

When the race began Davis was content to allow Ned “the Insurance Agent” Hodkinson to take early command with Vector and cut the race fractions of :29.1; 59.1 and 1:27.3 while he sat back fourth position surveying his best route to the finish line. But when the tight field straightened for paydirt Hodkinson could not stop the late rally by Beatrice and Vector had to settle for second money.

Meanwhile eyeing a chance for all the marbles while sitting a two-hole journey the entire way, when Steve “You’re Never Too” Oldford asked United Bi for more in the lane his charge flattened out and finished third.

The winner, Beatrice, was sent off as the betting favorite and returned a $4.60 mutuel; Owned by Ed Teefey, the 5-year-old daughter of Photo Color, is trained by Davis.

For the “Zqnesville Clipper” who has had just 13 starts since 2011, it was his second seasonal victory and the 138^th of his distinguished career.