Harness racing’s travelling roadshow, the CKG Billings Amateur Driving Series, moved on to Freehold Raceway on Saturday afternoon (April 22) where a seven-horse field went to post. When the judges hung the ‘official’ sign, Bobby ‘Rapid Rail’ Krivelin emerged victorious with his own Permanent Joy in a 2:01:1 clocking.

In a race marred by breaking horses on the first turn, ‘Hurricane Hannah’ Miller cleared the confusion with Winwood Scout from the seven-hole, but had to sizzle to a :28.4 first quarter which arguably took its toll later in the race. She did get her trotter a breather, but ‘Buffalo Bob’ Davis kept the pressure on with Mr Butterworth.

However, the eventual winner, Permanent Joy, wasn’t quite as lucky in clearing the breaking horses.

“Permanent Joy is handy little horse, so I was able to avoid the confusion on the first turn, but by then I was 10 lengths back of two leaders,” Krivelin related.

As the field headed up the backside the final time around, Winwood Scout was joined by Permanent Joy and from there a battle ensued.

“Once I caught the field I felt I had a shot (to win),” Krivelin said. “Coming around the final turn I thought I would go right by Hannah (with Winwood Scout), but she did a great job keeping her horse alive and we battled [until] the (finish) line. Fortunately I came out on top.”

The margin of victory had to be determined by the photo-finish camera, and when the judges developed the print Permanent Joy won by a head. Third place went to Windsong Illusion, driven by ‘Slate Hill Allen’ Sisco. The crowd sent the winner off at odds of over 7-1 and Permanent Joy returned $16.80 to those who backed him.

Krivelin owns and trains the veteran nine-year-old Permanent Vocation gelding who years ago was the State of Maine’s three-year-old trotting champion. For Permanent Joy, it was the trotter’s second seasonal victory and for Krivelin, a three-time National Amateur Driving Champion. It was Krivelin’s fifth win in just nine seasonal starts.

(Billings Series)