by
john manzi for the Billings Series
There
were three CKG Billings amateur trots on the 13-race card at Goshen Historic
Track last Saturday (July 4) and of the 17 drivers who competed five were
women. The gals may have been out numbered but when the dust had settled they
were not out-driven. Two divisions were won by the ladies while “Pacin’ Peter”
Gerry’s victory saved face for the men.
In
no surprise to anyone the first division saw “Hurricane Hannah” Miller, the
hottest driver in amateur racing today,
guide Casanova Lindy to a seven-length triumph over Bobby “Rapid Rail”
Krivelin and Gimme The Loot in a time of
2:00.4.. And after making a break at the start, Starsaboveallerage finished
third for Steve “You’re Never Too” Oldford.
For
Hannah it was her 20th winning drive in amateur competition this
year, and with 11 seconds and 10 thirds to go along with her victories she is
now coasting along with a lofty .491 UDR. And as an added bonus,for the first
time Hannah was joined in the winners circle by her proud parents.
A second Billings division was also on by a
lady when “California Karen” Isbell got her own Truth in Action up in the final
strides to collar Nautilus De Vie and driver Dave”Steady As “ Yarock in a
2:05.4 clocking. Linda B and “Mighty Matt” Zuccarello finished third.
In
from the west coast where she was competing at Cal Expo it was “California
Karen’s” third driving victory this season. Currently with three wins, one
second and three thirds in 14 starts she is carrying a very respectable .325
UDR.
But it took “Pacin’ Peter” Gerry’s victory
with Candid Man in a third Billings split to keep the boys off the schneid.
.
However,
Gerry’s victory wasn’t an easy one as he had to continually urge the altered
son of Malabar Man down the homestretch. And his urging wasn’t in vain when he
rallied Candid Man to overtake Tony “the Capo” Verruso and pace-setting Drill
Sergeant Sam in the deep stretch in a time of 2:07.2 . Up from Florida where
she used to race regularly at Pompano Park, “Sunshine Miriam” Toland took home
the show dough with Jim’s Little Red.
For
Peter Gerry his victory was his first of the season and the first three years.
Still the venture capitalist was as happy as a kid with candy. “It sure feels
great to win even though it took a while to do it,” he said.
In
his long and storied career “Pacin Peter”, the former longtime president of the Billings Series, notched his
81st amateur driving victory.
