“He was a handful, and all I did was steady him and let him ramble,” Steve Oldford said citing Missile J's stunning 1:54 triumph in the Tim Fouts Memorial at Delaware, Ohio, on Sunday (Sept. 20).
“He's got a big engine and sometimes a mind of his own, so instead of looking for a hole when the gate sprung, I just steadied him and he did all the rest.”
Oldford was referring to his stunning 1:54 victory at the home of the Little Brown Jug in the Fouts, an annual event featuring top amateur drivers from various clubs across the United States.
“After starting from the five-hole, little did I realize that I was going to get the fastest ride of my life on a double-oval,” Oldford added.
Cyclone Alvie and driver Daniel Jones refused to relinquish the early lead when Missile J came calling, and the two pacers got locked in a :27.1 first-quarter speed duel. Oldford's charge did reach command shortly thereafter, and he zipped by the half in :54.4. From there, it was "game over," as the seven-year-old American Ideal gelding opened daylight on his competitors and finished six lengths ahead of Noah Z Tam and driver Jazmin Arnold. Tony Ciuffetelli garnered third with The Smidge.
Missile J, who is owned by Black Magic Racing LLC and trained by Todd Luther, returned a $3.40 win mutuel.
(Great Lakes Amateur Drivers Association)