Gerry Fielding is celebrating, and why not? After all, not many 78-year-old drivers still are able to drive, much less rein a winner in a pari-mutuel contest as Fielding did in Wednesday afternoon's (June 30) Catskill Amateur Drivers Club pace at Monticello Raceway.
Driving 13-1 shot Back On Board N from the pole position, Fielding settled in fourth along the pylons as Rock N Roll Legacy (Joe Lee) led the field by the first stanza in :28. But when Lee began to back off the second quarter, Fielding was out and going, challenging for the lead by the half.
“When Lee began to back off the second quarter, I did not want to get caught in. So I moved first-up, and when we headed up the backside for the second time, I had cleared to the lead,” Fielding explained.
In front by a solid length, Back On Board N led his competition by the third stanza in 1:28.1.
Once comfortably on top, both Fielding and his pacer were looking for competition — which didn't come until McKenzie Sowers and All Net took aim at the pacesetter heading for home. But, their late charge wasn't enough. Back On Board N rallied to a 2-1/2-length triumph over All Net in a time of 1:58.1. Third place went to Midnight Shark (Chad Washington).
For Fielding, who doubles as the president of the Catskill Amateur Drivers Club, it was his 65th career driving victory and his first since 2018.
Back On Board N, an 11-year-old Christian Cullen gelding, is owned by Michael Elia and trained by Veronica Merton. He paid $29.20 to win.
(Catskill Amateur Drivers Club)