by John Manzi for the
Billings Series
Kelly “Sky” Walker lulled
his competitors to sleep when he went to the lead and then cruised wire to wire
with My Country Boy to score a victory in the Billings Trot at the Fowlerville,
MI Fair on Monday, July 23.
Although it might have been
a short field in the but nonetheless it was a competitive event with five avid
Michiganders at the lines.
However, in all fairness,
the eventual winner seemed to have unimpressive stats (5-0-1-1) going into the
event but the horse's previous races were undoubtedly discounted by Walker when
he sent the 5 year old altered son of Southwind Elian to the lead from the
three-hole and made every pole a winning one en route to a 2:05.4 victory over
Little Point Sable, and driver Jerry “The Jet” Mihelich who had rallied after
making a break before the start. Third place went to Mulligan Bi, driven by
Billings vice president, Steve “You're Never Too” Oldford.
Although he hasn't been
racing as much this season as he has in the past, Walker had an ear- to-ear
grin after the mile when he said, perhaps with tongue in cheek; “I'm making my
comeback and it sure feels good to be in the winners circle again.” But for
Walker he's had that feeling 126 other times prior to his victory at
Fowlerville.
The winning horse is owned
and trained by June Du Russel who continues to be a great supporter of amateur
racing.
Later Walker added that
he'll be among four American drivers who'll be winging their way to Northern
Italy on July 29 for a Friendship Competition with Italian amateurs at three
different racetracks in the greater Trieste area.
Set to Join “Sky”Walker for
this international amateur contest, will be Dr. Scott Woogen, “Joltin' Joe”
Pennacchio and Steve Oldford. And while they are in Italy an contingent of
Italian amateurs will be in the States for competition against their NAADA
counterparts in early August.
