Three divisions of the C.K.G. Billings Amateur Driving Series were presented at Historic Track in “Trot Town USA” on Friday, July 3 and when the judges hung the official signs Don “Were Ready To Draw” Hoover; Steve “You’re Never Too” Oldford and Scott “the Driving Doctor” Woogen each came away with a victory
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The Billings trots were three well contests races but the afternoon belonged to Steve Oldford the grand ole warhorse, Eng Amer Bobby, who turned in the fastest clocking of the three splits that afternoon.
In their contest Oldford sent Eng Amer Bobby to the lead from post position four and together they played catch-me-if-you-can. And nobody could, especially when the 13 year old gelding poured on a :29 second final panel to draw off to a five length triumph over San Siro Lane and driver “Joltin’ Joe” Pennacchio in a 2:01 clocking. Hometowner, Eric “the NYC City Fireman” Taddeo – he trains his trotter at Goshen —finished third, some 13 lengths behind the winner.
Oldford, a sales rep from Croswell, Michigan, who obtained Eng Amer Bobby in a package deal with the stipulation that he’d return the gelding to it’s original owner when the trotter reaches the age of 15, was obviously overjoyed since his triumph earned him enough points to take the lead in all three Billings points categories - Midwest Region, Eastern Region and Combined Points.
Hoover, the racing secretary at Saratoga Raceway up behind CJs Not A Clue, sat quietly behind the pacesetter Unitas, driven by Rob “Rapid Rail” Krivelin, until the homestretch then rallied his trotter to overtake the leader and hold off a late charge by Jay A Novak and driver Terry “the Dairy Queen” Donnelly to score a 2:03:3 triumph.
For Hoover, it was his first start in the Billings this year and his first driving victory in three outings this season.
Doc Woogen won his split with Pleasant Spur in convincing fashion. Woogen, a gastroenterologist by trade, sent Pleasant Spur to the lead from post position three and made every pole a winning one en route to an easy five-length triumph in a time of 2:03:2 over R Miracle Missy and driver Simeon “Hot Rod” Hunsdon. Digzy Dean finished third for Gerry “the Catskill Cat” Fielding.
(Monticello Raceway)