Krivelin wins Monticello Billings Trot
August 30, 2018,by John Manzi, for the C.K.G. Billings Series
Monticello, NY — If there’s any doubt about what a good post position can do, just ask Bob “Rapid Rail” Krivelin.
After off-the-board finishes from outside positions in his last three starts, Krivelin took advantage of the pole and sent Permanent Joy to a 2:00 victory in the Billings Trot at Monticello Raceway on Thursday afternoon (Aug. 30).
Geri Schwarz photo
Permanent Joy and Bob Krivelin wired their opposition in Thursday’s Billings Trot at Monticello Raceway.
“When the starter said ‘go,’ I immediately sent him to the lead, which is where the old guy races best,” Krivelin said in the paddock after the race. “He doesn’t like dirt hitting him in his face, so being on the front end is where he gives his best effort.”
When Permanent Joy vaulted to the lead, Jennifer “Golden Girl” Lappe ducked in behind the leader with Celebrity Blue Chip and they were content to follow as Krivelin’s trotter passed the first quarter in :29.
The order remained the same as the two leaders trotted by the halfway point in 1:00.1. “Yankee Joe” Lee was the first to move when he pulled the right line on Tim Lizzie, but they never made up much ground. By the three-quarters, Permanent Joy was comfortable on the engine with Celebrity Blue Chip chasing the leader 2-1/2 lengths behind.
As Permanent Joy rounded the final turn, Krivelin fed him his head, and the old veteran opened the lead to three lengths. In deep stretch, Krivelin was looking around for challengers as his charge cruised to five-length victory. Celebrity Blue Chip held on for second money, while “Buffalo Bob” Davis and Stitch in Time split horses to capture the show dough.
“This was Permanent Joy’s first (seasonal) start in the Billings this year, and actually he faced a much lesser-caliber field than he did in the five NAADA races he’d been in earlier,” Krivelin added.
Owned by the Hero Stable and trained by Krivelin, the 12-year-old Trot For Joy gelding was sent off at odds of almost 6-1 and paid $13.80. It was the horse’s second victory this season and the 37th of his successful career.