by John Manzi, for the Billings Series

Monticello, NY — After a long hiatus, Gregg “Fast Greggy” Keidel is back in the winner’s circle after he reined Forceful Gale to a 1:58.2 victory at Scioto Downs in a $6,000 Midwest region trot in the C.K.G. Billings Amateur Driving Series on Saturday (Sept. 3).

“It’s been a long time between pots,” Keidel joked. “But I’ve been busy with my job and I haven’t driven much in the past six years.”

After starting from post position two, Keidel settled his charge down along the pylons in second position behind TK’s Jelly Belly, driven by Dave “Linemaster” Ehrenberg. Keidel sat cool even though Steve “You’re Never Too” Oldford’s Celtic Merchant was parked out from the get-go.

“When we headed into the final turn I noticed that Ehrenberg began urging his horse so I moved out to challenge and thought I could clear,” Keidel said. “But as it turned out I didn’t clear although my horse had a half-length lead as we turned for home.”

Under strong urging TK’s Jelly Belly regained command and was the first horse under the wire, a head in front of Forceful Gale. But TK’s Jelly Belly’s victory was not to be when the judges determined that Ehrenberg violated Ohio’s whipping rule and they reversed the final order of finish and declared Keidel’s trotter the winner. Third place went to Vaya Con Dios in rein to “Tiny Tim” Miller. Celtic Merchant faded and finished fifth.

Keidel is currently the racing secretary at Hollywood Dayton and Miami Valley race tracks but prior to that he spent many seasons at Running Aces Harness Park in Minnesota.

“Being away from the mainstream in Minnesota I didn’t get a chance to drive much recently,“ Keidel said. “I’ll bet I haven’t driven more than three or four times in the past six years. But I’m happy to be back and even happier to have driven a winner, my first in a very long time.”

The race winner, Forceful Gale, returned a $4.40 win mutuel. He is owned by Ann Wrobble and trained by Jeff Brewer.

Keidel’s driving victory at Scioto Downs was the 102nd of his career.