by
John Manzi for the CKG Billings Amateur Driving Series
Amateur
racing is certainly escalating. On Friday, July 14, the amateurs emulated the
pros when a group raced during the afternoon at Monticello Raceway and then
traveled to Saratoga Raceway for two Eastern Region Billings trots in the
evening.
One of the trekkers ,Tony “the Capo” Verruso,
the president of the Billings Series , won his contest at Saratoga when he guided Gaelic And Garlic to a 1:58.1
triumph after he finished third in a
NAADA Trot at Monticello earlier in the day. The other split went to “Bay State
Bob” Kenney when he rallied Rev Up The Spice to a 1:59.2 triumph.
In
his division Verruso was sent off at odds of 9-2 and found the two-hole with
Gaelic And Garlic as he neared the first quarter which was stepped in :28.3.
Following the cover provided by Winwood Stout and James “Jimmy Boy” Marshall
IV, Verruso sat chilly when “Tough Tony” Ciuffetelli pulled Aventure first-up
as the field headed to the halfway point.
Verruso
bided his time and in the lane he rallied his trotter to a one length victory
over Marshall’s charge. Aventure hung on for the show dough.
“After
I fell in behind Marshall I had a picture perfect trip from there,” Verruso
related. “He (Gaelic And Garlic) responded well in the stretch when he saw
daylight. He’s is a real nice horse and a pleasure to drive.”
Owned
by Bernie White and the Kristie Leigh Farm and trained by Melissa Beckwith,
Gaelic and Garlic, a career winner of more than $373,000, paid $11.20 for win.
It
was the Capo’s fourth seasonal driving victory and 64th since he
began amateur racing in 1999.
In
the other split Kenney gave his trotter a similar journey falling into the two-
hole and then stalking the leader, Trotalot and Bob “the Headhunter” Hechkoff,
until the deep stretch and then rallying to victory. Lisa Jane finished third
for Simeon “Hot Rod” Hunsdon.
It was Kenney’s second consecutive victory
with Rev Up The Spice having won a Billings trot at the Afton,(NY) Fair last
Friday.
The
winner is owned by Di Stefano & Son Stable and trained by John Di Stefano.
Sent off at odds of over 14-1 Rev it Up Spice returned a $30.40 win mutuel.
For
Kenney it was his fifth driving victory in just 12 seasonal starts this year.
