With the proliferation of amateur driving events during mid-summer the Billings Series Trot at Saratoga Harness on Saturday evening only attracted five entries and when they were set to go to post only four horses heeded the bugler’s call.

The short field didn't deter Tony “Shifty” Ciuffetelli when he sent Someway Same Hall to the lead from the three-hole despite being parked by the first stanza in :28.4 by Royalpine Princess and driver “Daring Dean” Collett.

However, once in command Someway Same Hall led his competitors by some three lengths when he passed the halfway point in :57.4. But those three lengths were soon opened to six as the altered son of Cash Hall trotted by the third quarter in 1:27.1. At that point “Mighty Matt” Zuccarello had Broadway Bruiser in high gear and moved into second and with Brett “the Kid” Beckwith alongside with Elegant Son.

But there was no catching the leader as Sameway Same Hall and Ciuffetelli cruised to an easy 3-1/2 length victory in 1:57.4. Broadway Bruiser was second with Elegant Son , a neck farther back, in third place.

(Billings Series)