by John Manzi, for NAADA
Monticello, NY — Amateur driver Joe Lee proved that when a horse is the best in a race to send him to the lead, and if he gets beat on the front end, then he wasn’t the best when he started. But Lee’s calculations were precise with Soul Train in the sixth race at Monticello Raceway on Thursday afternoon (June 28).
When he drove Soul Train in the third leg of the North American Amateur Drivers Association (NAADA) trotting series, he sent his charge to the front and not only did Soul Train win, but he made a laugher out of the contest, scoring an 11-length triumph over seven others in a race timed in 1:59.1.
“When I drove him here (at Monticello) two weeks ago, we were comfortable on the lead and had three lengths on the field as we headed for home. But in mid-stretch, it felt like someone cut the lines and Soul Train caved in. But after the race we found out the reason he stopped was because he bled,” Lee said. “We treated him and he raced like a champ this week.
In today’s contest, Lee gunned Soul Train to the lead from the five-hole and the veteran trotter had command in a :28.2 first quarter. The lead then opened to two lengths as they passed the halfway point and when Soul Train headed up the backside, he began to put distance between himself and the remainder of the field. The farther he went, the bigger the lead became. It was eight lengths at the three-quarters, nine at the top of the stretch, and 11 at the finish.
“I knew we were going to win it, but I was surprised to find that there were no horses even close as we headed for home,” Lee added. “It felt kind of strange to win by so many lengths, and a margin of victory of that magnitude doesn’t happen often.”
The race turned out to be for second place when Woody and driver Bob Krivelin came from the back of the pack to finish second at odds of 33-1. Third place went to Keenan (John Calabrese), who was just a neck off Woody at the wire.
Soul Train, a 7-year-old Trainforthefuture gelding, is owned by Blindswitch Racing, Good Friends Stable, Santo Farina and Joe Lee. Sent off as the slight favorite in the race, he returned a $4.70 win payoff.
For Lee, who was the Amateur Driver of the Year last season, it marked his fifth victory thus far in 2018.