On Thursday, August 8 three divisions of trotters went
to post at Yonkers Raceway in the C.K.G. Billings Amateur Driving Series which
marked the first time since last fall in Delaware, Ohio have there been
that many Billings divisions on one card.
Raced prior to the betting card getting underway,
division winners included Steve” You’re Never Too” Oldford, “Gentleman
George” Newell, Jr. and Bob “the Headhunter” Hechkoff.
Oldford was the first to reach the winners circle when, in
the first Billings split he sent Celtic Merchant to the lead and they raced
relatively unchallenged on the lead and coasted home an easy winner in a
very creditable 1:58.2 clocking. Even with a close pocket trip by “Coach
Paul” Minore wasn’t enough for Wygant Prince to make up any
ground in the deep stretch and they had to settle for second money,
which wasn’t too bad considering the $6000 purse that was offered in each
division. Alan “the Intimidator” Schwartz finished third with
American Hot Rod.
“Considering that Celtic Merchant and I went wire
to wire last week to win in 1:57.1 in an amateur contest at the
Meadowlands I felt we were the best in here tonight so I was told when you’re
the best stay out of trouble and race on the front end,” Oldford related.
“And that’s just what I did and he raced like a champ. 1:58:3 on a half
mile track is a real good trotting mile.”
Making his first start in Billings competition since
receiving his “P” license “Gentleman George” Newell guided Drill
Sergeant Sam to his first victory in 14 starts this year.
Noticing that no one in the field was hustling out of
there Newell sent his trotter to the lead and they found
themselves two lengths in front as they passed the first marker. From
there it was catch me if you can and although “Mighty Matt” Zuccarello
and Deep Seas were charging in the deep stretch Drill Sergeant Sam kept
them at bay for a head victory in 2:02.4. Paul Minore, subbing for Bobby
“Rapid Rail” Krivelin, finished third with Ace High Hall.
Newell has been driving plenty of qualifiers this year at
Yonkers and this is his first seasonal victory in a betting race. His only
other start for money was at Monticello Raceway in mid-January where he
finished second in the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Pace.
A final Billings split saw the Bob Hechkoff and
Thehouseisrockin stalk the pace-setter, Famous Image and driver Mike
“I’ll Never Stop” Eaton, until the homestretch and then rally in the final
strides to score a nose victory , the eighth of the year for Thehouseisrockin,
a recent purchase by Hechkoff. Dave “Yes it’s True” Offenberg took home
the show dough with Whantnblazes.
At the Hall of Fame Banquet in July Hechkoff received
the Harness Racing Museum’s Amateur Driver of the Year Award which is given to
the amateur driver who donates the most money to the Museum from
the driving percentages he’s earned.
Billings action will continue at the Meadows on Saturday,
August 10 followed by a contest at the Muskingum County Fair in
Zanesville, Ohio Fair on Monday, August 12.
