by John Manzi, for the Billings Series

Monticello, NY — In his other life Paul “the Coach” Minore was a physical education teacher and track and field coach at Willingboro High School in New Jersey. His most famous pupil was the great track and field standout and former Olympic great, Carl Lewis. He got involved in amateur racing prior to his retirement and now Minore devotes himself fully to the sport he loves.

On Sunday afternoon (July 12) in a C.K.G. Billings Series trot at Saratoga Casino and Raceway, “Coach Paul” rallied his veteran trotter Wygant Prince to a come-from-behind triumph in a 1:58.2 clocking. It was a close finish but in the deep stretch they trotted by Morosita Bi and driver James “Call Me Jimmy” Marshall IV to win by a neck. The pace-setter Timmy T, driven by Bobby “Rapid Rail” Krivelin, faded and finished third.

“I fell into the two hole leaving (the starting gate) and when Bobby (Krivelin) wouldn’t let Jimmy (Marshall IV) go I got a perfect trip. With all the speedy fractions on the front-end all I had to do was wait for room in the stretch and when it came my horse was fresh and he trotted to victory,” Minore said.

Timmy T, the 3-2 betting favorite in the race, sped out to the lead from the six hole. Once there Krivelin played hardball and parked-out Morosita Bi and the two trotters raced as a team through speedy fractions of :28.2, :57.1 and 1:26.4 until the top of the lane when Marshall’s trotter gained command.

In the stretch Morosita Bi was confronted by Wygant Prince and the veteran trotter went on to victory and both Wygant Prince and “Coach Paul” had their third seasonal triumphs — Wygant Prince against other trotters and “Coach Paul” against other amateur drivers.

The winner is owned by Minore and trained by Taylor Gower. He paid $20.40 for win and for “Coach Paul” it marked his 82nd amateur driving victory.