There's an old adage in harness racing which states “if you have the best horse in the race send him to the lead and if he gets beat on the front-end he wasn't the best”.
At The Red Mile early this Thursday evening, Richard “The Wolverine” Roach, tested that theory in a Billings trot and although that concept isn't foolproof in worked tonight. Sent off as the even-money favourite Roach sent Fairground Drama to the lead from the two-hole and then made every pole a winning one en route to a 1-1/2 triumph in 1:58.2 clocking.
When the starter said go Fairground Drama got first call at the quarter pole as the timer flashed :29.2 with the race's second choice, Kaffir Kemp, and driver Steve “You're Never Too” Oldford, tight on Roach's back.
From there they raced one-two past the halfway point in :58.1 and by the three quarters in 1:28 over a track rated 'good' from previous rain. At the wire Fairground Drama a length-and-a-half better than Kiffir Kemp as Rose Run Princess, and R “Cubbie” Van Wagoner, took home the show dough.
Fairground Drama, a seven-year-old Groton Hall mare is owned and trained by Peggy Grant. She paid $4.00
It was Roach's 138th driving victory and third this season.
(CKG Billings Series)