Harness racing's greatest traveling roadshow, the CKG Billings Amateur Driving Series, made a stop at Yonkers Raceway on Thursday night for two short-field trotting divisions and when the judges hung the official signs two youthful newcomers each emerged victorious in their respective splits.
‘Terrific Tyler’ Miller scored an impressive 1:56.4 triumph with Inukchuk Chuck while Melissa ‘Missey’ Arbia reined Finnick Odair home first in 2:01.3 for her maiden victory.
With short fields usually the most advantageous position is to be on the front-end and Miller knew that so he fired Inukchuk Chuck to the lead from post five and although it took a :27.4 quarter for them to get there once on top Inukchuk Chuck knew just what to do for the veteran gelding recently had strung together four previous victories.
Miller's charge led his company by the half in 58.4 and from there the only thing in doubt was the margin of victory which turned out to be 2-1/2 lengths over ‘Joltin' Joe’ Pennacchio's Super Manning. Dave ‘the Rave’ Offenberg took home the show dough with Fiji.
Arbia obviously felt she had the best horse in the race so she sent Finnick Odair to the lead from post five and they got there in a relatively soft :29.4 While marching to the half Mike ‘the Tyke’ Polansky went first-up with Noble Warrawee and they got alongside Finnick Odair at the three quarters but in the lane Polansky's trotter tired and faded which allowed room for Annie ‘Get Your Gun’ Stoebe to rally March Madness home for second money making it yet another time where the ladies finished first and second in a Billings trot. Third place went to Muzzys Muscles in rein to Billings president, Tony ‘the Capo’ Verruso.
(CKG Billings Series)