Guy Gets Girl wins Williams Memorial Trot

Guy Gets Girl led every step of the way en route to his second consecutive victory at Pompano Park on Monday, taking the featured $14,000 Lew Williams Memorial Trot in 1:56.

Driven from post four by Bruce Ranger, Guy Gets Girl trotted immediately to the front to seize control of the race on the first turn, taking the field through an opening quarter mile in :29.1 before cutting out middle fractions of :57.1 and 1:26.3.

After turning back the first-over challenge of race favorite Gale Warning (Wally Hennessey), Guy Gets Girl entered the stretch with a 2 ½-length advantage over Cisco Hall (Dan Clements), and was never truly threatened down the lane when coasting home to cross the wire 3 ¼ lengths the best.

Guy Gets Girl returned $10.80, $5.60, and $2.80 for the win. Cisco Hall brought in $5.20 and $3.00 for second, while Gale Warning paid $2.10 for third.

After dropping 13 consecutive races, Guy Gets Girl has now prevailed in each of his last two outings. Owned by the Bruce Ranger Racing Stable, the 9-year-old son of Keystone Nordic has visited the winner’s circle 43 times during his career, and boasts a lifetime bankroll of $337,156.

The Lew Williams Memorial Trot was named in honor of the Cadiz, Ohio, native, who is recognized as the greatest African-American driver-trainer in Standardbred racing history.

Born on March 1, 1947, Williams was the national driving champion in 1972 and 1973, and was also the leading driver at Pompano Park in 1972. His career ended with 2,023 victories, and $8.8 million in purse money won. Williams passed away tragically at the age of 42.

Members of the Ohio chapter of the U.S. Harness Writers Association recently elected Williams to that state’s Immortal Hall of Fame.

Williams' daughter, LaVonda Williams, made the winner’s circle presentation following the victory by Guy Gets Girl. (Pompano)

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