by Dan Conway, USTA web newsroom correspondant

After two qualifiers, Doug Ackerman’s Grand Circuit star Coventry finished way up the track and then won last week in the Invitational Handicap ranks at Hazel Park.

What were the bettors to think!

The four-year-old trotter had a bulbous bankroll of $550,487 and had been timed in better than 1:52 at the Meadowlands in June. He was up against four Hazel Park regulars including the six-year-old Jeff, who had won two of his last four at this level.

King Rova and Welding Spark D also demonstrated some solid consistency in this class. The fifth horse in the field, Upsidedown, finished fifth in his last two efforts but was second in this class three weeks ago and before that captured a couple of Opens.

The wise fans along the rail went with Coventry with Jeff just behind.

Just like last week, D.R. Ackerman had Coventry on the front end on the outside at the quarter pole in :28.4. (If you think about it, it is incredible how consistent harness horses really are!) Vince Copeland guided Jeff along the pylons second with Upsidedown and Art Mc Ilmurray third.

Once to the front, Ackerman had the Mr Lavec/Lady Leesun bay trotting modestly to the half in :58. Jeff followed along second with Upsidedown third. Nobody was coming to challenge at this point.

Around the second turn and trotting down the backstretch, Ackerman slowed the pace a little more and Mark Webster brought King Rova out from fourth with the hopes of moving up. Welding Spark D, driven by Billy Dobson, came second over.

Heading into the final turn, Coventry was solidly in command almost two lengths in front of Jeff. Upsidedown continued along behind Jeff with King Rova slowly moving up to third on the outside. The three-quarters were in 1:28.1.

Coming out of the final turn and into the stretch, this affair quickly turned into a two horse race. Coventry came his last panel in :28.2 to hold off Jeff by half a length in 1:56.3. Welding Spark D finished third, some nine and a quarter lengths back.

The Doug Ackerman Stable bred and owns Coventry, a winner of four of 12 this season. His 2005 earnings stand at $47,316, with his lifetime total at $556,787.