by Ken Weingartner, Harness Racing Communications

COLUMBUS, OH — The old college try paid off for Jacob Kiefer.

Kiefer, who recently completed his freshman year at Kansas State, won the U.S. Trotting Association Driving School exhibition race Saturday night at Scioto Downs. The race was a 2:20 time bar, meaning the finisher nearest 2:20 was declared the winner.

USTA/Mark Hall photo

USTA Executive Vice President Eric Sharbaugh presented the trophy to Jacob Kiefer.

“It was thrilling,” said Kiefer, who was assisted during the race by co-pilot Tony Zubkoff. “It’s indescribable going behind the gate for the first time and feeling the rush; experiencing that power a horse has. It was a lot of fun.”

Other students participating in the race (with co-pilot driver) were Ken Spencer (Justin Hall), Darren Brown (Steve Holsapple), Richard Shroyer (Jack Daily), Sue Wegner (Kenny Edwards) and Harold “Keith” Caughran (Jeremy Smith).

Kiefer, from Boonton, New Jersey, is studying animal science/pre-vet at Kansas State.

“My dad was a trainer and driver, but he got out when I was 2 years old,” Kiefer said. “He didn’t get out completely; we went to horse sales a lot and I would jog horses with his friends. I know a lot about the horses, but not as much about the racing part. I’m more of a breeding guy. I know a lot of pedigrees.”

The exhibition race was the final event in two days of activities for driving school students, although most planned to take the written driver’s or trainer’s exams on Sunday morning.

A total of 50 participants from 16 states enrolled in this year’s school. Instructors for the program included Jim Arledge Jr., Dan Ater, Aaron Merriman, Virgil Morgan Jr., and Ryan Stahl.

Each participant got the chance to jog a horse on the famed half-mile oval at Delaware, which is home to the Little Brown Jug, one of harness racing’s Pacing Triple Crown events. Topics covered in the general sessions included care and conditioning, stable management, driving and racing strategy, amateur driving, veterinary care, and shoeing.

“I thought the school was great,” Kiefer said. “It’s really teaching people and I think everyone in the class really got into it.

“You’ll probably see all of us out on the track.”