by John Manzi, for Billings Harness Series
Freehold, NJ — Harness racing greatest traveling roadshow, the CKG Billings Harness Driving Series, moved on to Freehold Raceway on Saturday afternoon (May 5), for a six-horse trot in the Eastern Regional Division and when the dust had settled James “Jimmy Boy” Marshall IV took home the lions share of the $6,000 purse after he reined Call My Broker to a two-length triumph in a time of 1:59.3.
For the 28-year-old amateur it made his seasonal debut a winning one.
“I guess I was trying to emulate my dad who won three races on today’s (Saturday) card,”the talented youngster said.
After getting away softly from the three-hole Marshall angled to the pylons and was third as Annie “Get Your Gun” Stoebe led field by the first quarter in :29.1. Not content to let the lady dictate a slow pace with Uriel, Marshall moved his trotter to the outside and set sails for the lead but he didn’t gain command until the top of the lane and then also had to contend with Lakota and driver “Coach Paul” Minore who saving all the ground while traveling along in the two- hole.
When the field headed for paydirt there were three trotters across the track but Call My Broker was the strong horse and went on to a two-length victory over Lakota. Uriel was third.
Call My Broker, a 4-year-old Muscle Massive gelding, is owned by Melissa Beckwith,Thomas McTygue and William Bena and is trained by Mark Bethwith. He paid $8.20;$6.00 and $3.20.
It was the trotters first seasonal victory and for “Jimmy Boy” it marked his 15th career driving victory.
The Billings Series moves on to the Meadowlands on Friday (May 11).