Unlike many amateur programs one of the unique rewards for members of the CKG Billings Harness Driving Series is that participants are afforded the opportunity to compete on various size race tracks.
Case in point; Thursday's Midwest region Billings trot at the Red Mile following competitions last week over the double-oval at Delaware, Ohio.
Today at the renowned racetrack in Lexington, Kentucky a seven-horse field went to post and unlike many other competitions three of the seven drivers were ladies and the eventual winner was a member gentle sex, Kiara “the Columbus Clipper” Morgan.
After getting a perch up behind Inukchuk Chuck, Ms. Morgan followed in the footsteps of “Hurricane Hannah” Miller who had won two races with the veteran gelding at Delaware, Ohio the previous week.
Displaying a unique talent of keeping her horse alive Morgan sat relaxed on the limb and the veteran trotter kept marching forward despite receiving the cold shoulder from Steve “You're Never Too” Oldford who was on the lead with Utopia. Still side-by-side nearing the three quarters they were joined by Tartufo Lindy and driver “Chicago George” Bonomo.
However, in the deep stretch Utopia's stride began to shorten and Morgan and Bonomo raced to the wire, with their horses noses apart and after the long study of the photo Kiara Morgan and Inukchuk Chuck were declared the winner, a short nose better than Tartufo Lindy. Utopia held on for the show dough.
Owned by Clifford Grundy and trained by Nick Surick, the altered son of Muscles Yankee paid $3.60 for win. And for the 20 year old Kiara Morgan, who is certainly a talented and up- and- coming chauffeur, it was her 14th seasonal victory in just 35 starts—most at the Ohio county fairs.
(CKG Billings Series)