If there's any doubt about what a good post position can do just ask Bobby “Rapid Rail” Krivelin.
After off-the-board finishes from outside ;positions in his last three starts Krivelin took advantage of the pole and sent his charge to the lead and they made every pole a winning on en route to a 2:00 victory in the Billings trot at Monticello Raceway on Thursday afternoon. It was the horse's second victory this season and 37thof his successful career.
“When the starter said “go” I immediately sent him (Permanent Joy) to the lead which is where the old guy races best,” Krivelin said in the paddock after the race. “He doesn't like dirt hitting him in his face so being on the front-end is where he gives his best effort.”
The ever-traveling CKG Billings Amateur Driving Series made its fourth seasonal stop at the Mighty M where seven venerable trotters lined-up behind the mobile starting gate.
When Permanent Joy vaulted to the lead Jennifer “Golden Girl” Lappe ducked in behind the leader with Celebrity Blue Chip and they were content to follow as Krivelin's trotter passed the first quarter in :29.
The order remained the same as the two leaders trotted by the halfway point in 1:00.1. “Yankee Joe” Lee was the first to move when he pulled the right line on Tim Lizzie but they never made up much ground and by the three quarters Permanent Joy was comfortable on the engine with Celebrity Blue Chip 2-1/2 chasing the leader.
As Permanent Joy rounded the final turn Krivelin fed him his head and the old veteran opened the lead to three lengths and in the deep stretch Krivelin was looking around for challengers as and his charge cruised to five-length victory. Celebrity Blue Chip held on for second money while “Buffalo Bob” Davis and Stitch in Time came between horses to capture the show dough.
“This was Permanent Joy's first (seasonal) start in the Billings this year and actually he faced a much lesser calibre field than he did in the five NAADA races he'd been in earlier,” Krivelin added.
Owned by the Hero Stable and trained by Krivelin, the 12-year-old Trot For Joy gelding was sent off at odds of almost 6-1 and paid $13.80.
(CKG Billings Amateur Driving Series)