Amateur racing is certainly escalating. On Friday, July 14, the amateurs emulated the pros when a group raced during the afternoon at Monticello Raceway and then traveled to Saratoga Raceway for two Eastern Region Billings trots in the evening.

One of the trekkers ,Tony “the Capo” Verruso, the president of the Billings Series , won his contest at Saratoga when he guided Gaelic And Garlic to a 1:58.1 triumph after he finished third in a NAADA Trot at Monticello earlier in the day. The other split went to “Bay State Bob” Kenney when he rallied Rev Up The Spice to a 1:59.2 triumph.

In his division Verruso was sent off at odds of 9-2 and found the two-hole with Gaelic And Garlic as he neared the first quarter which was stepped in :28.3. Following the cover provided by Winwood Stout and James “Jimmy Boy” Marshall IV, Verruso sat chilly when “Tough Tony” Ciuffetelli pulled Aventure first-up as the field headed to the halfway point. Verruso bided his time and in the lane he rallied his trotter to a one length victory over Marshall’s charge. Aventure hung on for the show dough.

“After I fell in behind Marshall I had a picture perfect trip from there,” Verruso related. “He (Gaelic And Garlic) responded well in the stretch when he saw daylight. He’s is a real nice horse and a pleasure to drive.”

Owned by Bernie White and the Kristie Leigh Farm and trained by Melissa Beckwith, Gaelic and Garlic, a career winner of more than $373,000, paid $11.20 for win.

It was the Capo’s fourth seasonal driving victory and 64th since he began amateur racing in 1999.

In the other split Kenney gave his trotter a similar journey falling into the two- hole and then stalking the leader, Trotalot and Bob “the Headhunter” Hechkoff, until the deep stretch and then rallying to victory. Lisa Jane finished third for Simeon “Hot Rod” Hunsdon.

It was Kenney’s second consecutive victory with Rev Up The Spice having won a Billings trot at the Afton,(NY) Fair last Friday.

The winner is owned by Di Stefano & Son Stable and trained by John Di Stefano. Sent off at odds of over 14-1 Rev it Up Spice returned a $30.40 win mutuel.

For Kenney it was his fifth driving victory in just 12 seasonal starts this year.

(CKG Billings Amateur Driving Series)