The Kentucky County Fair Roadster Championship kicked off the competition for the Road Horses on the show’s first night. Seven pumped entries made up this class, leaving the judges with a tough task. All three judges had a different entry first. When calculations were finished, Misdee Wrigley and Guess Who, representing Kalarama, left as world champions. Following with the red ribbon and a first place vote from Euchee Matthews was the Todd Graham-trained horse Krewzyn Over, with Raymond Shively behind the lines for Carol Hall. The third horse to win a first place vote, Air Force One, was third with owner Danny Bugg at the whip.
On Tuesday morning, it was time for the amateurs to make their attempts at green spray in the Amateur Roadster To Wagon Stake. Trotting through the turns and sending green shavings flying gave Danny Bugg a unanimous decision and an unforgettable victory pass with The Secret’s Out. Owner Melissa Moore was their to assist. The reserve honors went to Meadow Demon and Kenneth Wheeler, who drove for Larry Gilpin.
Everyone knows Raymond and his Road Horses and even more so, what fun it is to see Raymond Shively navigate the ring with last year's Roadster To Bike World's Grand Champion Power Ranger. Louisville left this exciting pair with an Open Roadster To Wagon World’s title by unanimous decision. Much effort was also put forth by the reserve world champions, Despite It All and Steve Crabtree.
Another unanimous decision was in store for Shively later in the week. Shively and history making Power Ranger were right on the money, collecting the Roadster To Wagon World’s Grand Championship. Amateur stake winners The Secret’s Out and Danny Bugg made good show for the reserve world’s grand championship.
The Ladies’ Amateur Roadster To Bike was split into two divisions. For the first division, held Wednesday morning, Deborah Butler took charge of the ring with her popular entry, Dirt Devil, collecting the top prize from the Nelson Green Stables. It was the second consecutive world's title for the speedy team. Carol Hall was second in command with Krewzyn Over. In the other split, Elizabeth Shatner and All Glory thrilled the crowd and earned two out of three top votes, taking an exciting victory pass for Belle Reve Farm. Guess Who finished second with Misdee Wrigley for the Kalarama team. This was Wrigley and Guess Who's second consecutive ladies' amateur title as well.
The Amateur Roadster To Bike class also had to be split. Danny Bugg was on top of his game again, this time behind the lines of Gingerbread Man for trainer Melinda Moore and owner Chappy Chapman. Keeping it all in the family, Melissa Moore directed William Shatner and Spill The Ink to reserve.
Wearing red, white, and blue, Buck Davis and Dragster swept away the competition in section two. They have been strong all season on the Southeastern circuit but now they came to Louisville and crossed the finish line in first with proud trainer J.D. Gardner waving the checkered flag. Finishing in reserve, Westgate Villain and Michael Gordon, Sr. let their presence be known showing from the Paul Boone Stables.
In the amateur world’s grand championship, The Gingerbread Man returned to the ring seemingly faster than before and was up to task for the grand title. Just a year ago he wore the roses as the USTA Roadster Classic Grand Champion and now he successfully made the transition to the amateur ranks with veteran roadster driver Danny Bugg taking three first place votes back to Arrowhead Farm. Not satisfied with just a win in the qualifier Dragster was on target again for unanimous reserve world's grand champion honors with Buck Davis on the lines. J.D. Gardener had prepared this pair for two successful appearances.
Nine entries competed in the Ladies’ Roadster To Bike Stake. Two out of three top votes left Marilyn Macfarlane in the winner’s circle with Braveheart. With a long list of world's titles, The Natural and Crystal Everett turned in a tail flagging reserve performance for Crumpler Stables, Ltd. The crowd had picked up on Dora Huie and The Black Stranger and they cheered madly as this team trotted out with the yellow streamers.
Again in the spotlight and again with no question from the judges' panel, Raymond Shively and 2001 Roadster To Wagon World's Grand Champion Invincible Summer were at full force capturing the title in the Roadster To Bike Stallion/Gelding title this year. Gathering much attention from Louisville fans for the second year in a row, Quill was reserve with Jon Walker.
Seven entries in the Roadster To Bike Mare Stake gave the judges a run for their money and the marks showed that coming to a decision was tough. Calculations left Mary Jo Schmidt in the winner’s circle with Special Rose. This was the umpteenth world's title for the special mare. Willow Wind’s athletic entry, Sweep Lips finished behind the world’s champions with Jimmy Robertson providing the drive for the Raque family.
Combining all of the open stake classes provided the crowd with much to cheer about on Saturday night. Raymond Shively and Invincible Summer charged through the gate at top speed and were first straight across the boards when it was all over. Shively just keeps setting record after record in the roadster division. Also unanimous for second, Danny Bugg finished off a good week as the driver of the Reserve World’s Grand Champion Geronimo. Bugg never backs off a challenge and it seems that Raymond is right there every time he looks up.
The $15,000 USTA Roadster To Bike Classic has become a most sought after title and eliminations had to be held in two splits with the judges selecting 11 to come back on Thursday evening for the actual class. Even though this was a green group they showed the polish of veterans, especially Imagine That who stood out in the crowd and sailed down victory lane with Ruth Gimpel in control for the Pixie Dust and Steel. Merrill Murray drove Hilltop Latham to the reserve victory, receiving nice applause for David Latham. Mike Barlow was again near the top with third place finisher Stopwatch.