by John Manzi, for the Delvin Miller Amateur Drivers Association

Monticello, NY — On Monday (June 11) nine amateur drivers went to post in a C.K.G. Billings Harness Driving Championship trot at Hazel Park Raceway and when the dust had settled Mike “the Doo-Wop Doc” Caston rallied 20-1 longshot Merlincrest to a neck victory in a time of 2:01.4.

Overlooked by the betting crowd, Caston and Merlincrest got away eighth after starting from the pole position. Still eighth at the halfway point, Caston moved his trotter from the back of the pack and by the time the field had passed the three-quarters they were third, but three-deep as the final turn loomed.

However, Merlincrest found more trot and scooted to the lead as the field approached the top of the lane and then they rebuffed a strong late challenge by the favorite, Eye Of The Tiger, driven by “Lady Kara Sue” Buxton to hold on to win it. Third place went to Mylittlej, driven by Richard “the Lion-Hearted” Roach.

“It seemed like everyone in the race was leaving and we got away badly in that :28.1 first quarter,” Caston related. “So I got into the outer-flow going to the half and we moved three-wide up the backside and when we came off the last turn we had the lead and my horse held on gamely to win it. I’ll tell you I felt like a million bucks.”

For Doc Caston, a veterinarian by trade, it marked his first winning drive since 2007 although he drove only 22 times since that date.

“Every year my horse broke down or couldn’t go enough so I didn’t get a chance to drive much. But I just bought this little horse (Merlincrest) and I’m tickled to death with him. He nice to drive and we get along well,” Caston explained, as to why he only had a limited number of starts in amateur races over the past few years. “But now I’m ready for action this year and I’m looking forward to it.”

Merlincrest paid $42.00 for win and it was the first race that Caston’s newly purchased trotter had won this year. For the “Doo Wop Doc” it marked his 30th amateur driving victory.