It didn’t take Steve “You’re Never Too” Oldford long to
solidify his participation in the CKG Billings Series Gold Cup Final.
Actually his 1:58 second victory with Celtic Merchant in the East
Regional Final at Pocono Downs on November 8 did the trick.
“My old war veteran came through once again at Pocono Friday
night. We got away slower than usual as Paul Minore and Mark Eaton fired
quickly. As soon as I saw Paul tap the breaks after the ¼ it was time to
go! His horse was game but not enough for Celtic Merchant. A very
fun race,” Oldford related.!
Off a 2:00 victory in Billings competition at Yonkers on
October 24 the wagering crowd at Pocono Downs on November 8 sent
Oldford and Celtic Merchant away the 1-2 favorite in the $12,000 ER
Final.
After starting from the two hole Celtic Merchant was looped
by Wygant Prince and Paul “The Coach” Minore but Oldford wasted no time
retaking before the quarter mile timer flashed :28.3, and from there it
was Katy bar the door.
Once on the lead the veteran trotter rebuffed a
challenge by Bob “the Headhunter” Hechkoff with Thehouseisrockin. Then
Bullseye Victory and “Bullet Bob” Davis, who followed Thehouseisrockin,
went by him to range alongside the leader nearing the third stanza but
Celtic Merchant remained strong on the lead.
In the lane Wygant Prince, who had sat a two-
hole from the quarter pole home, still didn’t have enough to overtake Oldford’s
charge and had to settle for second money as Celtic Merchant went on
to a 1-1/2 length triumph for the trotter’s sixth victory of
the year. After a long trip on the limb Bullseye Valley
finished third.
Celtic Merchant, owned by Oldford, paid 3.00 for win. For
Oldford, whose enjoying a good year in the sulky, it was his 19th
seasonal victory and the 83rd of his amateur career.
With the competition of the Western and Eastern Region
finals the field (of drivers) is nearly set for the Delvin Miller Memorial Gold
and Silver Championship Finals which will be raced at Harrah’s
Philadelphia – formerly known as Chester Downs--on Sunday November 24.
Besides Oldford, other drivers who are now
qualified for the Gold Cup include: Bob Hechkoff, “Marvelous Marvin” Raber,
Dave “Linemaster” Ehrenberg, Bobby ‘Rapid Rail” Krivelin; “Trader Bud”
Hatfield, and Alan “The Intimidator” Schwartz
With the one more Billings leg to be raced at Pompano
Park on November 17 the results there may help determine the
10 drivers in the Gold Cup and the 10 who’ll compete in the Silver Cup.
Besides the aforementioned those who will definitely have a
drive at Harrah’s Philadelphia on November 24 include: “Dynamite Dave” Drew,
“Mighty Matt” Zuccarello, Dave “Steady As” Yarock, Tony “The Capo” Verruso,
Kelly “Sky” Walker, Harvey “Doc” Stein, Paul Minore, Dave “Yes It’s True”
Offenberg, , Peter “the Past President” Gerry, Mark “I’m Done” Eaton, and
“Chicago George” Bonomo. The last spot is up for grabs between
either “Smokin’ Joe Faraldo or “Howie The Horse” Gelfand.
