by John Manzi

Lexington, KY — Two trots in the Hall of Fame amateur series went to post on Thursday (Oct. 4) at The Red Mile and when they were declared official Rodney Debeck and Steve Oldford each reined a winner in their respective splits.

Debeck won his event behind Dynamic Man in 1:56.1 while Oldford scored with Keegan Ho in 1:55.3.

Although they weren’t Billings events many of the participants are also longtime members of the C.K.G. Billings Harness Driving Series, the granddaddy of all amateur events.

Debeck, sent off as second choice in his division, worked out a good journey with Dynamic Man when he settled in behind Santini and driver Steve Oldford and then enjoyed a covered trip until the top of the stretch where he angled his trotter off the pylons and rallied him past Oldford’s in the deep stretch to gain a head victory. Super Manning and driver Joe Pennaccho finished third, some five lengths behind the winner.

Dynamic Man, a 3-year-old altered son of Manofmanymissions, is trained and co-owned by Debeck and J & M Sullinger. He paid $5.60.

In the other division, Oldford and Keegan Ho started slowly from the seven-hole and then moved to the outside to get cover behind Sum It Up (Joey Putnam) who was parked by Cheeky Little Miss (Joe Pennacchio) to a :56 half. When Sum It Up began to fade Oldford and Keegan Ho moved around him and alongside Cheeky Little Miss and the two leaders raced head-to-head around the final turn but in the lane Keegan Ho was the stronger horse and went on to a 1-1/2 length victory. Fairground Drama garnered the show dough for Richard Roach.

Owned by the Oldford Stable, the winner, a 5-year-old Mr Cantab gelding, is trained by Terry Deters. Sent off as the odds-on favorite Keegan Ho paid $3.40 for win.