by
john manzi for the CKG Billings Series
There
was action in the C K G Billings Harness Driving Series in both the east and
Midwest regions this past weekend and not surprisingly “Hot Handed Hannah”
Miller got her picture taken in the winner’s circle once again.
She
has hit the amateur driving ranks like a hurricane and Saturday afternoon (May
2) “Hot Handed Hannah” blew the boys away again when she guided
Pembroke Snapshot to a gate to wire victory in a time of 2:00.4 in her east
region division of the two Billings trots that were carded at Freehold Raceway.
After
she turned down a challenge by Sam’s Honeybee and driver Tony “the Capo”
Verruso at the halfway point Ms. Miller kept after her charge and he responded
trotting away from Sam’s Honeybee to score a two-length triumph. Mark
“Shoprite” Schullstrom garnered the show dough with 43-1 shot Catalyst.
The
winner, a veteran 10 year old altered son of S J’s Photo, trained by Nick
Surick is co-owned by the Nick Surick Stable and the JL Benson Stables.
Pembroke Snapshot was Ms. Miller’s fourth winner in her last six starts
and her ninth in 25 seasonal outings. Sent off as the odds-on favorite the
trotter paid $2.80 for win.
A
second Billings trot saw Scott “the Driving Doctor” Woogen rally Sleek N
Beautiful to a come-from-behind victory in 2:00.2 after finally wearing down
the pace-setter Blazin Delores who was in rein to “Jimmy Boy“ Marshall
IV. Despite a two-hole journey, Swift Blizzard and “Coach Paul” Minore finished
two lengths behind the winner in third place
.
Doc
Woogen also owns the 7-year-old CJ’s Secret mare who’s trained by Gary
Messenger. She paid $15.60 for win. For the driving doctor it marked his 138th
career victory.
The
first Billings trot in midwest region competition at Miami Valley Raceway was
on Sunday (May 3) and when the dust had settled former USHWA Amateur Driver of
the Year, Kelly “Sky” Walker, rallied his veteran trotter Rush N Supreme to a
come from behind victory in a time of 1:56.4. They stalked and finally wore
down Jailer and driver Richard “Don’t Call Me Dickie” Bertrand to score a one
length triumph. Third place went to the early pace-setter Y F Crasher, driven
by Dave “Linemaster” Ehrenberg II.
Walker’s
journey with Rush N Supreme was made a bit easier when Steve “You’re Never Too”
Oldford’s 3-2 shot, Bold Strike went off stride after the start. They did,
however, finish fourth after trailing by 15 lengths at the first stanza.
Walker
also owns and trains the 11-year old SJ’s Caviar gelding who recorded his 45th
win. Rush N Supreme paid $4.40 for win. And since Walker began driving in 2004
he notched his 101st victory.
