by John Manzi, for Goshen Historic Track

Goshen, NY — The second matinee race program at Goshen’s Historic Track on Sunday (June 14) was well attended and those who stayed until the final race on the eight-race card saw the veteran trotter Rev It Now win the race under saddle.

On that card there were four races for 2-year-olds, a race for 3-year-olds, two open events (one for trotters and one for pacers) and the trotting race under saddle which saw the veteran trotter Rev It Now win easily in a time of 2:07.4.

Geri Schwarz photo

Rev It Now was ridden to an 18 length triumph by Helene Gregory.

Rev It Now, a 9-year-old altered son of Revenue S who has won six races this year hooked to a sulky, was ridden to an 18 length triumph by Helene Gregory. A week prior (June 8) at the Gaitway Farms matinee program, in his initial attempt at under saddle racing, Rev It Now was a 4-1/2 length winner in a time of 2:00.4 over that mile oval, again with Helene Gregory up.

“I have always thought that “Rev” would be good under saddle ever since we have had him and I put a saddle on him and rode him myself a few times just going slow,” said Hannah Miller, co-owner and the trotter’s regular harness driver. “He was super so we decided to give it a shot and qualify him. He qualified excellent at Gaitway under saddle. I think he enjoys this new job and it’s a way to mix up his routine and keep him fresh.”

This year Rev It Now, a career winner of more than $258,000, has been a scourge in the Billings and NAADA amateur trots with Miller at the controls. Besides his six victories Rev It Now also has two seconds and three thirds in his 19 seasonal starts and has earned more than $26,000 pulling a sulky.

Since she gets along so well with the veteran trotter, Miller was asked why she didn’t ride him in his two races under saddle.

“I haven’t had enough practice yet to ride him in a race. I’m working on that but it is difficult and Helene is an excellent rider and has had plenty of experience in these types of races,” Miller explained. “I plan on continuing to learn and practice and hopefully I will be able to ride him myself in a race one day.

“We will be bringing him back to Goshen on July 5 and plan on racing him under saddle at other New York fairs, Vernon, The Red Mile, and hopefully they will have a race at the Meadowlands.”

Miller shares ownership of Rev It Now with the Nick Surick and Erv Miller stables. Surick is also the horse’s trainer.

Also of note on Goshen’s Sunday matinee card was the second consecutive victory by No Shame Blue Chip. Fresh off his 2:01.1 seasonal mark (for a freshman pacing gelding on a half-mile track) here last week, the altered son of American Ideal was driven to a 2:02.2 victory by Brian Connor.

Peter Gerry recently purchased No Shame Blue Chip. He’s trained by Janice Connor.

The last of three seasonal matinee programs at the world’s oldest harness track will be presented next Sunday (June 21). Then on Thursday (July 2) Historic Track’s 107th Grand Circuit meeting will get underway.