By
John Manzi for the C.K.G.Billings Amateur Driving Series
After
being out of action for a while Steve “You’re Never Too” Oldford stormed back at
the Darke County Fair in Greenville, Ohio
and guided Celtic Merchant to a near track record victory in Midwest
Billings action on Thursday evening, August 25.
After
starting from the pole position Oldford went down the road and made every pole
a winning one en route to a 1:59.4 triumph.
“It
was good to be back in the sulky and even better being in the winners circle,”
Old ford said via telephone after his driving victory. “I know Celtic Merchant
went a good race but I was surprised when they told me that my old warhorse was
just a couple of ticks off the track record.”
According
to Oldford, trainer Terry Deters had Celtic Merchant in top form and he got
over the track real easy. They trotted through fractions of :30.2; 1:00; and
1:30 before finishing six lengths ahead
of runner-up Patient I D driven by “Lawbook Larry” Farley. Third place went to
Rompaway Beau and Gregg “Fast Greggy” Kiedel.
“Greenville
is a very nice Fair and everyone there went out of their way to accommodate
us,” Oldford added. “Our race was
sponsored by Donuts For Charity and everyone received donuts after the race.”
Celtic
Merchant, a 13 year old Angus Hall gelding, notched his fifth seasonal triumph
and 47th of his outstanding career while raising his lifetime
earnings to over $367,000. Oldford, vice president of the CKG Billings Series
and the Harness Racing Museum’s multiple recipient of their Amateur Driver of the Year Award, scored his
sixth seasonal driving victory and the 116th of his amateur career.
