by john manzi for the Billings Series
The C.K.G. Billings Harness
Driving Series kicks off its 37th season on Sunday April 29 at
Miami Valley Raceway followed by a leg at Freehold Raceway on Saturday May 5 .
And six days after that, the talented amateur drivers will compete at the
Meadowlands on Friday, May 11..
Then, almost weekly, there
will be competitions at various racetracks in the United States and Canada
through late November.
Again the Billings will be
run under the auspices of the Delvin Miller Harness Drivers Association.
The series which began in
the early 1980’s is considered the Grand Circuit of Amateur Racing. Known
for its constant traveling sideshow over the years some of the best amateur
drivers in North America compete, or have competed, in it. And
because of the success of the Billings a multitude of amateur clubs have now
become part of the harness racing landscape.
“Amateur racing has
never been more popular than it is now” noted Tony Verruso, the CKG Billings
Series president. “Just look at the handle at the amateur races and you can see
we are a good bet. And not only that, amateur races are needed to help
fill overnight cards at many racetracks.
“Last year amateur
racing action was with weekly record braking handles in races at the
Meadowlands and at Pompano Park. Wagering was also strong in the NAADA Trotting
Series at Yonkers, Freehold, and Monticello.’
Various amateur clubs are now
organized to help maximize the number of races and add benefits to the tracks
that host them as well as abetting the various charities that each club
represents.
“Tens of thousands of
dollars are raised each year through amateur driving for the benefit of each
clubs charity. The CKG Billings is proud to contribute its driver’s earnings to
the Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame,” Verruso added.”
This season being no exception
Billings president Verruso has once again worked diligently and as a
result has put-together another outstanding series of races at venues both in
the United States and Canada.
“You’ll find that the
current schedule has limited Canada dates as Billings member Dave Drew is still
working tirelessly at getting us squared away up North”, Verruso acknowledged.
“So hopefully there will be some dates to add to our seasonal schedule.”
According to Verruso most
rules remain the same except for the following:
* Because of the number of
amateur clubs in the East, it is getting harder to fill two fields at any one
venue and we never get two in the Mid-West. So this year we are going to let
any horse entered for the $10,000 claiming price draw inside any horse entered
for $15,000. “
“It does not mean the
$10,000 claimer will draw the inside post, just that said horse will draw
inside of any $15,000 claimers,” Verruso explained. “If need be, the race may
be seeded and drawn in lots as is done in some of our races already.”
At season’s end the Gold
& Silver Cup Finals will be held at Yonkers Raceway on November 26th..
“Yonkers has
graciously offered to host the races at our normal purse level. They will
feature the Gold Cup on their France Simulcast Program which should be a great
showcase for Amateur Racing here in the States.
“There is a very big
amateur colony in Europe so it will be very nice to put on a good show for
them. We will have to go with 10 horses at 1 1/4 miles as all the French Races
do,” Verruso stated.
To become a member of the
Delvin Miller Harness Drivers Association or for a complete listing of
conditions and nominating costs please contact Verruso at sulkyracer@hotmail.com
or Billings Series VP, Steve Oldford atsteveoldford@oldford.biz.
One can also get pertinent information on the Delvin Miller Harness Driving
Series on the USTA website under amateur racing.
