by Ellen Harvey, Harness Racing Communications

Goshen, NY — Clint Galbraith, driving Elite Crown, was the winner in 2:01.1 in the ninth annual Mr. and Mrs. Elbridge Gerry Memorial Trot for Hall of Fame drivers on Sunday (July 1) at Goshen Historic Track.

The field of eight horses were all driven by members of the Hall of Fame, though Mike Lachance was a late scratch, with Ray Schnittker substituting for him.

Ellen Harvey photo

Clint Galbraith, driving Elite Crown, passes Wally Hennessey, driving Touchstone, to win the $10,000 Mr. and Mrs. Elbridge Gerry Memorial Trot for Hall of Fame drivers.

Ron Pierce, driving I’m A Good Un, was first off the gate from the rail, getting to the lead at the quarter-mile mark in :29. When that one made a break before the half, the lead was inherited by John Campbell, driving Fortysecondstreet, who was leading by two lengths at the 1:00 half-mile pole. By the 1:30 three-quarters, that lead had dwindled to a half length, with Wally Hennessey, who will be inducted into the Hall of Fame tonight, on his heels in second and challenging for the lead.

By the head of the stretch, Campbell and Hennessey were jousting for the lead, just a head apart, when Clint Galbraith, driving Elite Crown, who was third throughout the mile, came ranging up on the outside to pass those two for the win in 2:01.1 by a length.

“He put in a few steps at the start,” said Galbraith. “But I got him settled and he settled himself, too. The horse co-operated and the race went my way.”

Wally Hennessey and Touchstone were second, John Campbell and Fortysecondstreet were third. Ron Pierce and I’m A Good Un recovered from the break at the half to finish fourth, with Jim Doherty and Over The Wire behind him. Dave Magee and Vanished were sixth, Ray Schnittker, subbing for Mike Lachance with Tiki Time, was seventh and John Simpson, Jr. and Cross Creek Whiz were eighth.

Elite Crown is owned by Ray Fisher, Jr. and Kirk Doskocil. The nine-year-old son of Wesgate Crown is also trained by Doskocil.