On a night that the participating amateur drivers probably would rather have sat it out because of the inclement weather, still eight veterans from the Midwest region of the C.K.G. Billings Harness Driving Series ventured to Northfield Park for a trotting contest on Wednesday evening (September 6) which saw Ned “Insurance Man” Hodkinson take no prisoners and make every pole a winning one en route to a 2:00.1 victory with his own Mutinyonthebounty.
After a day inundated with rain, Mutinyonthebounty, the second choice in the wagering, found the wet going to his liking. After starting from the pole position in the eight-horse field, Hodkinson zipped him to the lead and they had command early, passing the first stanza in :29.2.
Despite Oneeyedmomma (Bob Troyer) and Rush N Supreme (Kelly Walker) stuck on the limb, Hodkinson’s charge was undeterred and trotted by the halfway point in 1:00.2, with the betting favourite Song In My Heart (Tim Miller) getting a two-hole journey.
As the field headed for the three-quarters and parked horses faded, Miller moved Song In My Heart out to challenge for the lead, but Mutinyonthebounty was able to rebuff him and then open some daylight as they rounded the final turn and headed for paydirt.
In the lane it was all Mutinyonthebounty, and he reported home a 1-1/2 length winner over Song In My Heart. Third place went to Upfront Chip Daddy, driven by Michelle Ruvola.
It was the second victory of the season for Mutinyonthebounty, who returned a $7.20 mutuel. For Hodkinson, who doubles as the horse’s owner and trainer, it was his 56th career driving victory.
(C.K.G. Billings Series)