Maybe it was fitting, or maybe just by chance, but when
Ciuffetelli and Rambo win races on Columbus Day it makes one sit up and
take notice.
“Tough Tony” Ciuffetelli was won the first
Billings Trot at Saratoga Raceway on Monday, Oct. 13 with CSI
What’s My Name while “Christopher Columbus” Shambo copped the second
division with George’s Vacation.
It was the first Billings victory for each driver.
Ciuffetelli took advantage of a two-hole trip behind
pace-setter Celtic Merchant, driven by Steve “You’re Never Too”
Oldford, which carried him to the deep stretch and halfway home
Ciuffetelli moved CSI What’s My Name to the outside and they caught the
leader in the final strides to win by a head in 2:01. Jimmer finished third for
“Bullet Bob” Davis.
The 9-year-old Tagliabue gelding is owned and trained by
Ciuffetelli. He paid $5.10 for win
Rambo, on the other hand, wanted the front end
with his trotter and they took command before the quarter pole and from there
George’s Vacation made every pole a winning one and even opened up daylight as
they neared the wire to finish three lengths ahead of
runner-up Make It Hot and Harvey “Doc” Stein. Dave “Steady As”
Yarock took home the show dough with J’omama.
Owned and trained by Kevin Hough George’s Vacation
paid $2.90 for win.
On Saturday Oct. 19, at Lebanon Raceway, an important
Billing race will be contested to determine the eight drivers who’ll be
eligible to compete in the Midwest Regional Final on Oct. 24th at
The Meadows.
