It used to be known as The Red Mile's Gentlemen's Trot alluding to the amateur drivers all being male but on Thursday afternoon, (Oct 8) in Lexington, Ky. that race was won by a lady driver, none other than the season's leading amateur, Hannah Miller. And although not billed as a CKG Billings Series event the majority of the drivers–actually all- are, or were members of harness racing's great traveling sideshow.
Although sent off as the weak favorite "Hurricane Hannah" got away slowly with Pembroke Snapshot despite a soft :29 second first panel where she was some four lengths behind the leaders. Then when the pacesetter, Windsong Illusion, driven by "Lawbook Larry" Farley trotted the next two furlongs in 28 seconds Miller and Pembroke Snapshot were seven lengths behind Farley's trotter in a :57 first half.
As the field headed to the third stanza Miller moved Pembroke Snapshot out to make a run at the leader but they were still some five lengths behind. When they were rounding the final turn the leaders seemed to be coming back to Pembroke Snapshot as the trotter was closing in on Windsong Illusion and when they straightened for home a stretch duel emerged with both trotters all out for victory. But at the wire Pembroke Snapshot got the last call and a long photo ensued which showed that he was a nose winner over Windsong Illusion. Four lengths farther back was the third place finisher Play Fair, driven by Steve "You're Never Too" Oldford.
It was the fifth seasonal triumph for Pembroke Snapshot, a 10-year-old altered son of SJ's Photo, owned by the Nick Surick Stable and the J L Benson Stables and trained by Surick. He paid $4.80 for win.
For Ms. Miller it marked her second driving victory against her counterparts at the Red Mile having won a Billings Trot last Thursday with Jacks To Open.
The 5-foot-4–inch lass is the leading amateur driver in the nation. From 90 trips to post "Hurricane Hannah" has 27 wins, 17 seconds, and 13 thirds for a whopping .453UDR.
On Sunday (Oct. 11) afternoon two Billings Series Trots and a NAADA Trot are carded at Saratoga Raceway.
John Manzi