Eight talented amateur drivers traveled north of the border to race in Ontario this weekend to compete in three Billings events; one at Hiawatha Horse Park in Sarnia on Saturday and two at Clinton Raceway in Clinton, and when the results were official two Michiganders came away with all the glory
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Steve “You’re Never Too” Oldford drove two winners and Kelly "Sky” Walker won the other event.
At Hiawatha Horse Park on Saturday, August 14, Oldford handled Howmuchubench, a four-year-old Muscles Yankee gelding, who was the second choice in the betting. After a slow start--sixth at the quarter, seven lengths off the lead--Oldford bided his time as “Dynamite Dave” Drew cut the fractions with EW Royal Pain.
Still in fifth position at the three quarters and four lengths behind the pacesetter at the top of the stretch, Oldford rallied his trotter to catch and the EW Royal Pain and go on to a 1-1/2 length triumph in time of 1:59.2. EW Royal Pain held on for second money and Eye Of The Tiger finished third for “Tar Heel Tom” Williams.
Oldford owns the winnerm who returned a $7.40 win mutuel.
The following day at Clinton Raceway Oldford picked up where he left off on Saturday and this time reined Goearly Tristen to a 2:04.1 triumph over Canbec Dynamo, driven by Sherman “Smiley” Edwards.
Oldford sat the pocket behind Canbec Dynamo the entire way and then charged to the front in the deep stretch for a two length triumph over the pacesetter. Early Gait got up for the show dough for Kelly Walker after making a break before the start of the race.
The winner, owned by Mark Mackenzie, paid $6.00 for win.
Walker had the favourite in the other contest and despite being on the limb to the halfway point, still Abs Super Hall trotted away from his competition to score an easy four length victory in a time of 2:02.
CR Bellman and “Racin’ Jason” Sgrignouli lead the way to the half and was second at the top of the lane but faded and finished third as Sherman Edwards hustled Lexis Conaway from far back to take second money.
Abs Super Hall, owned by Walker, traveled with his driver to Canada for the competition, as did the previous days Billings winner Howmuchubench. Abs Super Hall awarded his backers with a $3.30 win payoff.
Click on the following links for results from Saturday and Sunday.
(C.K.G. Billings Harness Driving Series)