by John Manzi, for Billings Series and NAADA
Monticello, NY — For the second time in recent weeks there has been racing action in both the Billings Series and the NAADA Trotting Series on the same day which is indicative of the growing popularity of amateur driving.
On Thursday (Sept 29) in Billings action at The Red Mile in Louisville, Ky., “Hurricane Hannah” Miller, after a stellar showing in the recently completed World Cup of Amateur Racing in Budapest, Hungary, added to her seasonal totals by reining Jacks To Open to a 1:56.4 victory. Meanwhle, several hundred miles away at Yonkers Raceway in New York in the NAADA Trotting Series, Joe Lee scored a 1:59.2 victory with Four Starz Credit in their split while Bobby Krivelin was a 1:58.3 winner in his division behind P C’s Wildcard.
At The Red Mile “Hurricane Hannah” notched her 28th seasonal driving victory. After leaving strongly from the three-hole with Jack’s To Open they took command before the first stanza which was trotted in :28.2. Being pressured by a parked-out Bold Strike, driven by Steve ”You’re Never Too” Oldford, both trotters were just heads apart at the half in :57.0. But when Bold Strike began to fade “Buffalo Bob” Davis hustled 80-1 shot Facing Justice up to challenge Jacks To Open and the two were just heads apart as they straightened for home. However, Miller’s charge was game and held off Bold Strike by a length at the wire. Third place went to Rompaway Beau, driven by “Lawbook Larry” Farley.
“Hannah said she loves coming to Lexington and it’s a great place to race,” trainer Nick Surick said. “She said she was a little nervous around last turn when Bob Davis flipped three-wide with a strong challenge but ‘Jack’ dug in and got the job done for Hannah.”
Jack’s To Open paid $3.20 for win. He’s owned by his driver and the Nick Surick Stable and trained by Surick. Besides her 28 wins Hurricane Hannah has 20 seconds and six thirds for a .434 UDR.
Also on tap on Thursday night was the second leg of the NAADA Fall trotting Series in which Joe Lee took no prisoners in his division. He sent Four Starz Credit for the lead and after gaining command they remained nearly unchallenged from there to the wire.
“My horse raced great,” Lee said after the race. “Alan (Schwartz with Linda Marie)) let me cut the mile and although I had some mild pressure to the half by John Kokinos and Cassa’s Image, my horse scooted off to win pretty easily.”
At the finish Four Starz Credit was a solid five-length winner over I’m Fabulous, driven by John Turock. Cassa’s Image held on for the show dough.
Four Starz Credit is owned by Eric Prevost and trained by Tom Milici.
Joe Lee, the locker room manager for the New York Yankees, notched his eighth seasonal driving victory and 18th of his fledgling driving career.
The other non-betting trot saw Bobby Krivein hustle PC’s Wildcard to the lead and once on top Krivelin played catch me if you can; and no one could, as the 7-year-old altered son of Sand Chaser trotted the final four furlongs in :58 en route to a three-length triumph over Signal Hill OK and driver Joe Faraldo. Third place went to Wygant Prince, handled by Paul Minore.
PC’s Wildcard is owned by the Joe P Racing Stable and trained by Dan Altman. For Krivelin, a three time national Amateur Driver of the Year, it was his 14th seasonal triumph and the 198th of his career.