CKG Billings Amateur Driving Series races took place at Northfield Park on Sunday night, (Oct. 27) for two Midwest region divisions.
When the judges hung the ‘official’ signs, Steve Oldford and Bob Troyer each emerged victorious in their respective $6,000 splits.
Oldford guided Utopia to a 1:58 victory in their division, while Troyer scored with Ubanji in 1:59 in the other.
When the starter said ‘go’ in Utopia's race, Oldford found himself parked from the four-hole which helped him decide that he'd be better off to go for the lead, which proved to be the winning move.
“I surely didn't want to be parked, so I thought the front end was the best place to go,” Oldford acknowledged. “So, I urged Utopia and he responded and we had command after we passed the first quarter in :29. From there, the old guy knew just what to do and we were never in trouble and we coasted home an easy one and a quarter-length winner.”
Although Gregg Keidel had the betting favourite, Crime Fighter, within striking distance after the three quarters, Utopia refused to lose. Crime Fighter finished second while Alesha Binkley got Hititoutofthepark up for the show dough after having made a break in the early going.
Sent off at odds of over 7-2, Utopia paid $9.40 for the win. He is owned by Oldford Racing trained by Terry Deters.
With his victory Oldford raised his seasonal UDR to .401 on the strength of 15 wins. nine seconds, and 11 thirds from 59 starts, which strengthened his pursuit of the National Amateur Driver of Year Award, an honour he won a few years ago.
After having started from the two-hole, Troyer ducked Ubanji to the pylons and was third at the quarter in a swift :28.2, having parked out Better Call Saul (Michelle Ruvola) and Smart Flight (Steve Oldford). Troyer and Ubanji continued in charge and kept the aforementioned challengers on the limb.
With a covered trip, Gregg Keidel had Norman Marks close at the top of the lane, but Keidel's charge couldn't catch Troyer's and Ubanji finished a one and a half-length winner over his challenger. And after never seeing the pylons, Better Call Saul still held on for third money.
Ubanji is owned by his driver and trained by John Wengerd. He paid $15.40 for the win.
(Billings Series)