by Patricia Miller

Fowlerville, MI — A Blue Ribbon Fair track, a perfect breezy summer day, and five eager competitors. They took to the track on the Fowlerville half-mile for a Billings trot filled with racing excitement and fun on Wednesday (August 10). Mike Mitchell drove his own trotter Mr Magilla Gorilla and wired an exciting race in 2:04.2. The blue and green colors sailed on in the sunshine and cruised to a good win.

Mitchell left from the two hole, holding off Patricia Miller’s Hay Look Out for the entire race as Mr Magilla Gorilla showed his speed and Mitchell his driving savvy. Miller left from the five hole and raced in the clean Michigan air off Mitchell’s wheel for most of the race until Mr Magilla Gorilla pulled away in the stretch. Steve Oldford, Midwest Billings point leader, left from the four hole with his own Bristy Crinkley. Harlan Pepper, in rein to Richard Wheeler, trotted away from the lucky one hole, and Pc First Raid, driven by Richard Roach, started in the three.

As the trotters ripped around the final turn and straightened out for the stretch drive, Mr Magilla Gorilla was in front and in full control by two lengths and three contenders were straight across the track in quest of the place position. Miller held her ground in the middle, fighting off a strong charge by Wheeler on the inside and a fast gaining Bristy Crinkley with Oldford on the outside. In front of the cheering crowd, Mitchell won the day, while Miller’s Hay Look Out finished second and Oldford’s Bristy Crinkley was third.

An exciting finish for a fair competition on a superb Michigan summer day.