On Friday “Sir Philip” Bo Sowers won the Bangor contest and
yesterday at Scarborough Downs Sowers again soured the day for his competitors
in a Billings trot when he guided Paradise Magoo to a gate to wire victory in a
time of 2:01.1. Also that afternoon Billings Series vice president Steve”
You’re Never Too” Oldford got off the Billings schneid with a hard fought
victory with 16-1 shot Black Chip Winner in a 2:04.1 clocking.
On the other hand Sowers made his triumph with Paradise
Magoo look easy. After gaining command from the pole position Sowers took
the field by the quarter in :29.1 and he and his trotter passed the half in
:59.2 with all the others in single file behind the leader.
At the third stanza Paradise Magoo had two lengths on the
competition and from there only the margin of victory was in doubt. At the wire
Paradise Magoo and “Sir Philip” were two lengths to the good over
runner-up Ove Ove, driven by the Billings Series president Tony “the
Capo” Verruso. Third place went to Iroquoindianbrave with Steve Oldford
aboard.
Oldford’s third place finish came on the heels of his
initial 2012 Billings Series triumph with Black Chip Winner.
In the other contest Oldford’s trotter was disregarded by
the betting public and had to overcome interference early in the mile and
because of that they were 10 lengths behind the leader, Emery Ho, as his
driver Tony Verruso got the field by the halfway point in :59.1
With Verruso’s charge still in command at the third stanza
in 1:31.3 Oldford ‘s chances looked slim and they were still a solid two
lengths behind the leader in third position.
In the lane the quick early fractions took a toll on the
leader and Emery Ho began to fade. BWT Everytime, in rein to Robert “Blue N”
Gray, scooted to the lead midway through the lane but Oldford kept urging his
trotter and Black Chip Winner steadily moved forward and at the
wire a photo was needed to determine the winner.
After a short recess the judges posted Black Chip Winner as
the victor which gave Oldford his first Billings victory of the year. BWT
Everytime was nose behind the winner in the picture and had to
settle for second money. Philip Bo Sowers got Here Comes Monte up
for the show dough.
On Monday the Billings Series moves down to Plainville,
Mass. for a seven- horse contest at Plainridge Racecourse.
