by john manzi for the
Billings Series
Nichols, NY—Harness
racing's greatest traveling roadshow- the CKG Billings Harness Diving Series-
moved on to Tioga Downs for a trotting contest on Sunday afternoon, July 21 and
when the judges hung the official sign “Easy Dave” Russo surprised his
competition guiding longshot Osprey Vision to a 1:57.4 triumph over the even
-money favorite, Starsaboveallerage, driven Steve “You're Never Too Oldford.
With the temperature
hovering in the mid-90's Russo sent his charge to the lead from the three=hole
and played hardball with Cashaholic and Billings newcomer “Florida Jeff”
Schaefer, parking them by the quarter in :28.1 and past the half in :57.2 with
neither driver yielding.
Obviously feeling that
Cashaholic would keep him locked-in, Tony “the Capo” Verruso who was third
along thew pylons, wheeled Glided In The Wind three-deep hoping to circle the
leaders. But as they trotted by the third stanza there were three horses across
the track and it appeared at that point Staraboveallerage, who was getting a
two-hole journey, would be the strong when the field headed for home.
In the deep stretch Glide In
The Wind faded as did Cashaholic while Osprey Vision hung gamely to the lead
and although Starsaboveallerage was gaining he ran out of race track as Russo's
trotter clung to a head victory.
It was the fourth seasonal
vriumph for the 10-year-old altered son of Ken Warkentin which raised his career
earnings to over $235,000. Sent off at odds of over 23-1 Osprey Vision paid
$48.40.
And although Russo is now
primarily a trainer still it was his 34th career driving victory..
