CKG Billings - STEVE “YOU’RE NEVER TOO’ OLDFORD WINS THE BILLINGS TROT AT TIOGA DOWNS

The ever traveling C.K.G. Billings Amateur Driving Series moved again this week to Tioga Downs where a   nine –horse trot went to post prior to the  betting card getting under way and when the results became official  Steve “You’re Never Too” Oldford won  the event  11 year old Pierre Levec  in a time of 1:58.4 

But the results weren’t official until the judges hung the numbers because the photo finish camera was needed to determine the runners-up, since the first three finishers were just heads apart at the wire.

In that photo,  Scott “the Driving Doctor” Woogen was second best with Sleek N Beautiful while the show money went to  Whatnblazes, driven by  Dave “Yes It’s True” Offenberg.

“It was lots of fun,” Oldford said about the race but then again, anytime one wins a race that comment has to be taken with a grain of salt.

But Oldford insisted that it was enjoyable even though he got up very early on Sunday morning at his home in  Crosswell, Michigan and drove six hours to Tioga Downs  just to drive Pierre Levec.

“I’d like to thank the Sisco Family for allowing me to drive Pierre today,” Oldford said.  “It was a special  day ,too, and I dedicate that win to Emily Sisco, Allen’s daughter, who as a youngster used to take care of the veteran  trotter.

“She’s now a sophomore in college and she came here to Tioga just to paddock Pierre Levec today.  And  to her I dedicate this victory.”

In the race Oldford listened to the horse’s trainer who determined that Doc Woogen’s trotter Sleek N Beautiful was the horse to beat.

“So  after the gate sprung I put my horse’s nose on Doc’s helmet and followed his every move,” Oldford related.

“We got away at the back of the pack and when Doc moved I followed him even though we had to go three deep to get near the front as we passed the half.

“At the three quarters Doc was on the lead but  on the outside and I still  had my horse’s nose  on his helmet.  Pierre, the veteran (trotter) that he is, wore down Doc’s  horse  and we got all the money.”

Dave (Offenberg) ended up third even after making a break behind the gate.”

Owned by the Allen Sisco Stable, Pierre Levec’s victory was the 37^th of the trotter’s career and it  raised his lifetime bankroll to over $225,000.

Oldford, an automotive sales rep by trade and  the vice president of the Billings Series, is known throughout t the industry as excellent amateur driver and a true sportsman.  After all, Oldford must really enjoy his amateur driving endeavors because after the winning s celebrations waned he still had a six hour drive home.