by john manzi, for the
Billings Series
Fowlerville, MI—On
Monday, July 22 there was a five-horse Billings Trot at the Fowlerville Family
Fair in Michigan posted as the last race on a lengthy card that featured
Michigan-bred colts and fillies and being not far from his home, Steve “You're
Never Too” Oldford not only participated but he came away with yet another
driving victory when he guided Blasco to a gate to wire triumph in a 2:05 clocking
over National Forces, driven by Jerry “the Jet” Mihelich.
When the wings of the mobile
starting gate folded Oldford sent Blasco to the front and they led the others
by the first quarter in a soft 33 seconds. However, Steve picked up the pace
when “Fast Freddie: Davis came calling on the outside and the trotted by the
half in 1:04. Up the backside the two leaders were still heads apart until
Blasco rebuffed the challenge and went on to a one length victory. Sitting a
two-hole journey paid dividends for Mihelich as his Natural Forces rambled home
for second money. Third place went to Stirling Boudica driven by “Michigan
Miriah” Wright.
The race winner, Blasco, is
owned by Oldford Racing and trained by Oldford.
Oldford, whose quickly
becoming the face of amateur racing, owns many standardbreds employs many
trainers and will travel almost anywhere to drive spirited steed. But in recent
years he's become a member of multiple amateur racing organizations. Currently the
vice president of the CKG Billings Harness Driving Series Steve was recently
awarded the Harness Racing Museum's Amateur Driver if the Year Award. It was
the sixth time Oldford has received that honor..
A few seasons ago Oldford
was named National Amateur Driver of the Year and now with 11 wins, four
seconds, nine thirds and a .416 UDR he's got a good chance at yet another
national driving award this season.
