Monticello, NY — After two events in Ontario over the past weekend, harness racing’s greatest traveling road show, the C.K.G. Billings Amateur Driving Series, was on the move again Thursday (Oct. 3) for a trotting contest at Monticello Raceway. On the rainy and chilly afternoon in the Catskills, Bob “Rapid Rail” Krivelin used the front-end route with his old war horse, Permanent Joy, to win an East Region Billings event over a sloppy course.

When the gate sprung, Krivelin sent his charge to the lead, where they were joined by Six Bax and Tony “the Capo” Verruso. But when Krivelin showed that he wanted the front, Verruso took back and settled his trotter behind Permanent Joy.

“I wanted the front knowing my horse swells up when he’s on the lead,” Krivelin related. “And once he’s in front, he’s hard to beat.”

Krivelin led his challengers by the quarter in :29.4, and they were comfortable when they passed the half in 1:01.

When Permanent Joy approached the three-quarters, he still had three lengths on his competition, but that lead quickly began to dissipate when Broadway Bruiser and “Mighty Matt” Zuccarello came roaring down the stretch. However, their rally fell a neck short, and they had to settle for second money.

“I heard them coming and so did Permanent Joy,” Krivelin said. “He dug in and refused to lose.”

March Madness, driven by Annie “Get Your Gun” Stoebe, took home the show dough.

Krivelin also owns and trains the winner, who returned a $13.80 mutuel.

It was the 42nd career win for the 11-year-old Trot For Joy gelding. Krivelin, a three-time National Amateur Driver of the Year, recorded his 220th driving victory.