July 25, 2001

A little bit of luck

By John Montgomery
Sports Writer

Sometimes the luck of the draw winds up being the difference between a fantastic race and a regular victory.

Just ask Republic's Ryan Stahl.

All that kept him and Pocket O' Dreams from lowering their own track record Tuesday at the Seneca County Fairgrounds was the No. 7 starting spot in the free-for-all pace.

Starting positions are selected through a blind draw and race rules state the first six horses start behind the rolling gate while all other horses and drivers start behind the front row.

That put Stahl and Pocket O' Dreams in the second row at the start, but they didn't stay there long.

"I had the back tier, I had the seven hole with her tonight, so really she probably went as fast as the record," Stahl said. "I kept her off three-quarters lengths coming out of there in case some horse in the first turn got stupid and made a break. I didn't want to run over them.

"So I laid back and as soon as the dust settled I tipped her out and let her go," he said.

The rest was almost history.

Stahl and Pocket O' Dreams came home in 1:57, just off the 1:56 2/5 pace record they set last year.

Stahl said the credit for the win goes to Pocket O' Dreams.

"You could put Howdy Doody on this mare and win," he said. "There's not much work required for her. Just try not to overdo it. I've never come off the track yet and said she wasn't herself."

It would be the only win on the night for Stahl, but he still earned the fair's unofficial racing title for having the most wins -- 4 -- during the fair this year.

He also added a pair of third places Tuesday.

Stahl's win Tuesday came over Mike Jarvis and Leading Raider while Jim Larrabee drove Crazy Conuck to third.

Dale Edwards and Jarvis both wound up in the winner's circle twice Tuesday.

Edwards drove Victory's Future to a win in 2:05 1/5 in the maiden trot AE: non-winners $1,500 earned in 2001 first division while also guiding Max's Merry to a victory in 1:59 4/5 in the 3-year-old colt pace second division.

Charles Peter and Overgoer came in second in the maiden trot AE: non-winners $1,500 earned in 2001 first division and Mark Headworth and C R Precious Prise claimed third.