This past weekend, the annual trip to Canada's Maritimes was again an enjoyable excursion for the eight members of the C.K.G. Billings Harness Driving Championship Series who drove at the Charlottetown Driving Park and Summerside Raceway. The most fun may have been had by Dein 'The Jupiter Gem' Spriggs, who drove winners in each of the two pacing contests on PEI.
At CDP on Saturday, July 10, Spriggs was not only lucky enough to draw the race favourite, Jazzmo, but in the lottery process his mount drew the pole position to boot. Spriggs, a former two-time Amateur Driver of the Year in the United States, displayed the talent which led to that distinction when he guided the four-year-old Dream Away gelding to a one-length victory.
However, after all the hoopla of that day and the fun with their hosts in the evening, the next day the group travelled the short distance to Summerside for a pacing contest. As luck would have it for Spriggs, he again drew the race favourite, but this time he had to leave from Post 3.
Still, the three-hole posed no problem for the Florida real estate developer, because he sent his charge, Sassy Little Shark, to the lead from the onset and went on to post a neck triumph in 2:01:2.
The next Billings action in the eastern region will be at Monticello Raceway on Sunday, July 18, and the following day there will be Billings action in the midwest region at the Fowlerville Michigan Fair.
(With files from Billings)