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Friday, September 26, 2014

OLDFORD WINS BILLINGS TROT AT THE RED MILE WITH BOLD STRIKE IN 1:55.4

In what turned out to be one of the fastest miles ever recorded in the C.K.G. Billings Harness Driving Series, Steve “You’re Never Too” Oldford and his veteran trotter Bold Strike stopped the timer in 1:55.4 and won the Billings trot at the Red Mile on Thursday, September 25.

Oldford, who now has slipped ahead of Bob “the Headhunter” Hechkoff in total Billings points, had little trouble  getting the job done at Lexington last night .

He gunned Bold Strike  to the lead from the nine-hole and they had two on the  field  as they passed the first panel in :28.2. After a half in :57.1 Bold Strike bore out up the backside and “Lawbook Larry” Farley  surprised Oldford when he snuck up the inside of him with  Good Friend and they gained a head lead over Bold Strike at the third stanza.

But that was  the only time that Farley had command because when the field straightened for home 

Bold Strike trotted to the front and rambled home a 1-1/4 length winner. In the deep stretch “Chicago George” Bonomo rallied Tioga Thunder and they took home second money when they nosed-out Farley and Good Friend in the final strides.

An understandably happy Oldford had nothing but accolades for the competition, especially being able to compete over the hallowed Red Mile.

“It was a good race and everyone had a good time,” Oldford said, and then added with a chuckle,” My horse was pulling an Amish buggy six weeks ago.”

According to Steve this was his second win in-a-row and his third consecutive with him driving Bold Strike in Billings competition.

While conversing with him via telephone Oldford related that there was a chance that the race would be held over to the next day.


“We had a power outage during the races and I got a little nervous when they talked about finishing the card tomorrow,” he explained. “I have two drives in the Billings at Batavia Downs tomorrow but thankfully the power came back on and we got our race in. At the crack of dawn, I’ll be starting the nine-hour drive to Batavia.”