by Thom Pye

Bell, FL — It was a picture perfect Saturday afternoon (April 8) as four qualifying races were held at the scenic central Florida training facility. The five-eighths mile track was in tip-top shape as resident horsemen hosted the 1 p.m. event.

Photo courtesy of Thom Pye

JJ’s Jet (Heath Campbell) rallies from behind to nip Buckle Up by a scant nose in 1:59.3f with the last quarter-mile kicker in :29 flat.

Trackman/trainer/starter Ivan Davies sent off a select group of trotters and pacers and produced some very impressive miles highlighted by the Krista Harmon trained and owned 9-year-old trotter Rever Ever 8, 1:52.3 (Don Harmon) in 2:01.4f as well as Bruce Maxwell’s JJ’s Jet p7, 1:52.3h.

The Heath Campbell trained and driven 8-year-old pacer, stepped off a sharp effort in 1:59.3f as he edged Jim Mulinix’s 5-year-old Buckle Up p2, 1:51 (Don Harmon) after a rousing stretch drive that had an appreciative crowd yelling for more.