by John Manzi, for the C.K.G. Billings Amateur Driving Series

Monticello, NY — Although the Billings Trot at the Muskingum County Fair In Zanesville, Ohio, on Monday (Aug. 12) only had five horses in it, not only was it an exciting event but the crowd especially enjoyed the stretch drive with three horses only heads apart to the finish.

And like so many tight endings a photo was required to determine that Wolf’s Jann and driver “Trader Bud” Hatfield had emerged victorious over Tabulator who was handled by “Marvelous Marv” Raber. Just a bit farther back in third place was Donnamom and Dave “Linemaster” Ehrenberg II.

And the 2:03.2 trotting mile over the five-wide Muskingum County Fair racetrack was remarkable for the short field.

“I had the rail (pole position) and watched Tabulator take off in a hurry and open up a five length lead as we headed to the quarter pole,” Hatfield said. “He’s (Tabulator) a known speed horse and I was content to follow in the two hole.”

Hatfield had his mare two lengths behind the leader at the half with Donnamom seven lengths back at that point.

Wolf’s Jann had gained the lead coming off the final turn and kept Tabulator at bay while also holding off the late charge by Donnamom.

“She’s a pretty nice mare but this year she been plagued with a cracked bone in her foot and a bad quarter crack,” Hatfield said about Wolf’s Jann, a 6-year-old daughter of Majestic Victory with more than $172,000 in career earnings.

“Last year she won in 1:55(.1) at the Meadows and earned over $63,000 for me. She’s only had a few starts this year but she seems to be coming now.”

Donnamom, off two consecutive Billings victories, was sent off as the 7-10 betting favorite but after a slow start she just couldn’t make up all the ground she needed in a rather swift mile over the county fair oval. She also had foot problems but they were recently rectified.

Reflecting about the new Billings format with regional championships along the way to the Gold and Silver Cup finals, Hatfield had nothing but praise for it.

“It makes for a good competition because more people are involved and there are a lot of different winners,” he added.