by john manzi for
the Billings Series
Harness racing’s
greatest traveling roadshow, the CKG Billings Amateur Driving Series, moved
north of the border to Mohawk Racerack on Monday evening, May 22 for two
trotting divisions; the first won by Steve “You’re Never Too” Oldford with
Musical Spell in 1:58.4 and the second by “Racin Jason” Sgrignuoli up behind
Bella Pelazzo in 1:56.3.
By all accounts
Oldford is a very dedicated amateur driver having just returned from Italy
after an amateur driving competition against the Italians where he won an event
and had three seconds in the USA loss to their Italian counterparts.
And saying Oldford
just returned couldn’t be more accurate because he didn’t arrive in Toronto
until 2AM this Monday morning(May 22) and by 7:30pm he was in the sulky
and hustled Musical Spell to a gate to wire victory over Fork who
was driven by “Gentle Ben” Hollingswort.
“I had driven few
horses for Mr. Guitard (Musical Spell's trainer) years ago and though he
told me Musical Spell hadn’t been racing well I nevertheless hustled him
to the lead from the nine-hole and he raced really well for me tonight,”Oldford
said via telephone.
“After a:28.2
first quarter I stole a few fractions and we got to the three
quarters in 1:28.3 and embraced for the challengers.”
“Tough Tony”
Ciuffetelli had Overcomebyvictory on Musical Spell’s throat-latch at the third
stanza but Musical Spell soon put him away. Then Fork and “Gentle
Ben” Hollingswort came out of a hole and was charging in the lane
but Musical Spell showed some grit and hung on for a neck victory over Fork.
Third place went to Tortola Sunrise driven by :Hurricane Hannah Miller.
Overcomebyvictory ended up fourth.
It was the ninth
seasonal victory for Oldford who had been racing in the amateur series at
Pompano Park in South Florida. The former National Amateur Driver of Year
(2013) now has 125 career victories.
Sent off as the
second choice in the 10-horse field Musical Spell paid $7.10.
In the second
split Sgrignuoli sent his trotter to the lead and was content with a two-hole
journey behind Silence Son, with “Buffalo Bob” Davis at the controls.
That lasted until Hannah Miller came calling with Lexis Rocky up the
backside who then circled Bella Palazzo. But Hannah’s charge could sustain the
lead and Sgrignuoli got his trotting mare up for a neck victory over
Lexis Rocky in 1:56.3. Third place went to Presquille driven by Tony
Ciuffetelli. Silence Son on faded and finished fourth.
Bella Palazzo paid
$11.20 for win and for Sgrignuoli it was is eighth lifetime driving victory.
Next Billings
action will be at Northfield Park on Wednesday, May 24.
