by John Manzi, for the C.K.G. Billings Series

Monticello, NY — “Coach Paul” Minore is a retired Phys. Ed. Teacher and track coach whose most famous pupil was the great track and field star and Olympic Gold Medalist, Carl Lewis.

He is also an owner of Standardbreds and an amateur driver and last night (July 24) at Yonkers Raceway he won the $12,000 C.K.G. Billings Harness Driving Series Final #1 with his Wygant Prince in a time of 1:59.2.

Minore has been driving more frequently of late and Wygant Price’s triumph was his fifth this season and the 78th of his amateur driving career which began in 1994.

Minore, who handles a horse as good as any amateur driver, sat a two-hole trip behind the pace-setter Bob “the Headhunter” Hechkoff with Get Packin. Minore rallied his trotter in the final strides to eek-out a nose victory.

“My horse likes a trip and we got one tonight,” Minore said after his victory. “Bob and I finished right together and it was so close at the wire that the starter had to tell us who won.”

Third place went to Nearly Uncle driven by “Tough Tony” Ciuffetelli.

Minore occasionally drives against professionals and has been racing his trotter at the Meadowlands on Friday nights.

“It’s a lot tougher there especially against the pros,” Minore said and then added, “My horse loves amateur racing. It’s a better class for him and he fits it well.”

With his victory in the Billings Final #1 Minore has earned a berth in the Gold Cup Championship which will be contested at Harrah’s Chester on Sunday, November 23.