After seven months of competitions in the C.K.G Billings
amateur driving series the $25,000 Gold Cup and $15,000 Silver Cup
Championships were contested at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Sunday afternoon,
November 23 with “Mighty Matt” Zuccarello victorious in the Gold with Rebel
Strike while Kelly “Sky” Walker copped the Silver with Rush N Supreme.
Both events were on the betting card and each was contested
at a distance of 1-1/4 miles, which has been the regular feature in the
Billings Series finales.
But for Zuccarello his 2:31 driving victory was only half of
his prize that day. His friend Charlie Longo said that “Mighty Matt” hit the
daily double at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Sunday and he was not only
referring to Matt’s victory but more importantly Longo reported that Zuccarello
proposed marriage to his longtime girlfriend Kim Velardi. He even got
down on one knee in the winners circle after his victory to make that proposal.
The road to that proposal began when Zuccarello left
softly from the five-hole and settled in fifth position with Rebel Strike. He
was content to follow the leaders until the backside the final time around.
When Bob “the Headhunter” Hechkoff moved Tagmaster in front of him, Zuccarello
followed the cover and by the top of the stretch he had Rebel Strike within striking
distance.
In the lane Rebel Strike was the strong horse and Zuccarello
got him up in the final strides to hold off a hard- charging Catching Kate and
driver “Marvelous Marvin” Raber to score a neck victory in a time of 2:31.
Keystone Sadie finished third for Bobby “Rapid Rail” Krivelin.
“It was the greatest day of my life”, Zuccarello offered. “I
really had a perfect trip. It couldn’t have been scripted better. And Charlie’s
right, I hit the daily double. It was real nice to end the season a pair of wins;
Kim’s hand and the Gold Cup Championship.”
It’s true Matt felt mighty at days end but then again, so
did Mike Simons who owns Rebel Strike especially when his horse got the lion’s
share of the $25,000 purse.
Rebel Strike paid $9.20 for win and for Zuccarello who is
looking forward to next season, it was his fourth Billings triumph this year.
Another gentleman, Kelly “Sky” Walker had sort of a daily
double of his own on Sunday, too. He won the $15,000 Billings Silver Cup
Championship with Rush N Supreme in a time of 2:30.4 and he is also is the
owner of Rush N Supreme.
But Walker’s journey to the winners circle was different
than Zuccarello’s. He too, started from the five-hole but gunned Rush N Supreme
to the front and got away with a soft 30.3. From there Walker rated his horse
on the front end with each quarter trotted around 30 seconds.
After rebuffing a challenge by Dave “Steady As” Yarock and
Rompaway Alvin as the field passed the third stanza Rush N Supreme trotted home
an easy 1-1/2 winner over Whatnblazes, driven by Dave “Yes Its True” Offenberg.
Rompaway Alvin held on for third money.
Sent off the even money favorite Rush N Supreme paid $4.00
for win. For Walker it was 9yh seasonal; driving victory and the 98th
of his amateur career.
“The Billings Season was marked again by 5 separate series and we once again saw an increase in new members. Also noted was an upswing in participation from our core members. The shorter Series format seems to be well received by most and we will continue to make adjustments to try and refine it for the future,” said Billings Series president, Tony “the Capo” Verruso.
“ One such adjustment will be the increase of the money
conditions and claiming price in the Mid-West. Starting next year. The
conditions for the East and Mid-West will once again be the same. The new slot
money in Ohio has rejuvenated racing there and hopefully it will do the same
for our membership in that region.”
