by John Manzi, for the Billings Series
Lexington, KY — Patience my boy is what Steve “You’re Never Too” Oldford was probably telling himself as he sat calmly in the catbird’s seat with Gonna Fly as “Hurricane Hannah” Miller and Pine Tab slugged it out with Gregg “Fast Greggy” Keidel’s Tinder in the Billings trot at Red Mile on Thursday evening (Sept. 28).
And after early fractions of :27.4 and :55.2 the leaders were all in.
The speed duel up front was what the doctor ordered for Oldford as his charge enjoyed cover all the way to the top of the stretch before they rallied between horses to take command of the nine-horse field as they headed for paydirt.
Then in the deep stretch Oldford and his trotter went on to a solid 1:55.4 victory over “Hot Rod” Debeck’s Fairground Drama as the race leaders faded. Third place went to Moon In My Shine with Julie “the former Hawkeye” Miller subbing from Dave “Linemaster” Ehrenberg who was still in Florida working to help locals damaged by the recent hurricane.
“Allen Sisco (the horse’s trainer) shipped him all the way from Yonkers for the race tonight and though we’ve (Oldford Racing) owned him for nearly a year this is the first time that I sat behind him,” Oldford said referring to Gonna Fly.
“We sure got lucky with Hannah and Gregg going at it and they carried us to the homestretch where I found a seam between horses and when it opened I pulled the (ear) plugs and Gonna Fly exploded. I mean he really took off and we were easy winners.”
Sent off as the favorite in the race from the seven-hole, Gonna Fly returned a $4.60 mutuel. As mentioned, Gonna Fly is owned by Oldford Racing and trained by Allen Sisco.
For Oldford, a former National Amateur Driver of the Year, it was his 12th seasonal driving victory and the 128th of his amateur career.