Two trots in the Hall Of Fame Amateur Series went to post on Thursday afternoon at The Red Mile and when they declared the races official Rodney Debeck and Steve Oldford each reined a winner in their respective splits.
Debeck won his event behind Dynamic Man in 1:56.1 while Oldford scored with Keegan Ho in 1:55.3.
Although they weren't Billings events many of the participants are also long-time members of the CKG Billings Harness Driving Series - the granddaddy of all amateur events.
Debeck, sent off as second choice in his division, worked out good journey with Dynamic Man when he settled in behind Santini and driver Steve Oldford and then enjoyed a cover trip until the top of the stretch where he angled his trotter off the pylons and rallied him past Oldford's in the deep stretch to gain a head victory. Super Manning and driver Joe Pennacchio finished third, some five lengths behind the winner.
Dynamic Man, a three-year-old altered son of Manofmanymissions, is trained and co-owned by Debeck and J & M Sullinger. He paid $5.60.
In his division, Oldford and Keegan Ho started slowly from the seven-hole and then moved to the outside to get cover behind Sum It Up (Joey Putnam) who was parked by Cheeky Little Miss (Joe Pennacchio) to a :56 half. When Sum It Up began to fade Oldford and Keegan Ho moved around him and alongside Cheeky Little Miss and the two leaders raced head-to-head around the final turn but in the lane Keegan Ho was the strong horse and went on to a length and a half victory. Fairground Drama garnered the show dough for Richard Roach.
Owned by the Oldford Stable, the five-year-old Mr Cantab gelding is trained by Terry Deters. Sent off as the odds-on favourite, Keegan Ho paid $3.40 for win.