For the better part of the Billings racing season Tony “the Capo” Verruso has been atop the leaderboard in the Eastern Region. But on November 4 he stamped his name in the record books after reining his own Sams Honey

to a 1:59.2 triumph in their 10-horse division at Mohegan Sun Pocono Downs.

Now with 121 points, Verruso can claim his initial points championship although he has won the Gold Cup and other series finales in the past.

En route to copping the Billings trot at Mohegan Sun Pocono, Verruso, the president of the C.K.G. Billings Harness Driving Championship Series, turned back Dace “Yes It’s True" Offenberg and Double Strength by 1-1/4 lengths. Dein “the Jupiter Gem” Spriggs, up from southern Florida for the competition, finished third with Long Story Short.

The other spilt went to “Roundhouse" Rob Krivelin when he navigated Ace High Hall from the 10-hole to the head of the class charging by leaders Admirable Hanover and driver Peter “the Past President” Gerry and Man O Matic, who was handled by "Battlin’ Brad” Rathbone.

There is but one venue remaining in the 2011 Billings and that will be at Yonkers Raceway on Monday, November 14. However, for all intents and purposes, it’s all over but for the shouting as far as regional points champions are concerned.

The champ in the Midwest Region was never in doubt as Steve “You’re Never Too” Oldford. The vice president of the Billings Series led from the get-go and will finish with 126 points, some 57 more than runner-up “Joltin’ Joe" Pennacchio’s 69 points.

After the Yonkers races will be the regional finals for the top point earners in each of the two regions. On Saturday, November 19, the Midwest Regional Final will be contested at Northfield Park and the following day on November 20, the Eastern Regional Final will be raced at Harrah’s Chester Downs. From there it will be on to the Delvin Miller Memorial Gold, Silver and Bronze Cup Finals at the Meadows on Friday night, December 2.

(Monticello Raceway)