Harness racing's granddaddy of all amateur events, the CKG Billings Harness Driving Series, presented its 37th annual Gold and Silver Cup Finals at Yonkers Raceway on Sunday, November 25.
The finals played out in near storybook fashion when, coincidentally, the $25,000 Gold Cup was won by the series’ vice president, Steve Oldford, and the $15,000 Silver Cup was captured by the series’ president, Tony Verruso. The finish marked the first time that the event's top officers were victorious in the races' finales.
The long-running program is, and has always been, sponsored by the Delvin Miller Memorial Harness Driving Series, better known as the ‘Billings.’
Raced this season at a distance of one and one-quarter miles over Yonkers Raceway, the two 10-horse fields were very competitive. Oldford and Starsaboveallerage – despite having been sent off at odds of over 22-1 – won the Gold Cup in a tight photo over On The Podium (who was driven by Tony Ciuffetelli) in a time of 2:32. The Silver Cup was won by Landonfitz, driven by Tony Verruso, over Winwood Scout and driver Dave Drew in a time of 2:31.4. Both drivers had to negotiate ten-horse fields en route to victory.
Oldford is enjoying one of his best seasons in the sulky and has already topped the leader boards in both the Midwest division and the Billings Travel Series, and he has also copped the Billings’ overall points championship.
Starsaboveallerage, a seven-year-old altered son of Angus Hall, is owned by Oldford Racing and trained by Allen Sisco. He paid $47.20, $16.40, $11.20 across the board.
In the Silver Cup, Landonfitz paid $11.40 to win. The eight-year-old Jailhouse Jesse gelding is owned by the Allister Stables and trained by Eric Abbatiello.
(With files from the Billing Series)