Many years ago as many as seven amateur races in the Billings Series were hosted at the home of the Little Brown Jug, but with the proliferation of local organizations hosting races for recreational drivers, the amount of races on the betting cards at Delaware, Ohio has consistently decreased.
Still, this season there were two Billings trots and the Fouts Memorial, for the top drivers from national local clubs.
Steve Oldford got the day started by guiding Blasco to a come-from-behind triumph in 2:00.2.
After starting from Post 5, Oldford zipped away from the gate and settled in the two-hole. Blasco received perfect cover from Better Call Saul (who was driven by George Bonomo), who left Italian guest Gian Luca Di Venti and Smart Flight out in the fresh air.
The three raced at the front of the field until the homestretch, where Oldford moved out and hustled his trotter to a neck victory over Better Call Saul. Despite the overland trip, Smart Flight was beaten by just one length and finished third.
Owned by Oldford Racing LLC, Blasco, the second choice in the wagering, paid $6.00
After the second Billings trot was completed, Hannah Miller showed why she is a two-time National Amateur Driver of the Year. She sat chilly with Inukchuk Chuk and stalked United Bi and driver Alesha Binkley to the head of the lane and then rallied to a 1:58.4 victory.
Binkley had taken command on the first turn, but Miller was in hot pursuit tight on her back. They raced ‘one-two’ until the top of the lane, where Hannah rallied Inukchuk Chuck to a triumph over her lady challenger. Guest amateur Daniele Orsini took home the show dough with Mego Moss.
The winner, a six-year-old Muscles Yankee gelding owned by Clifford Grundy and trained by Nick Surick, paid $3.00 to win.
In the Fouts Memorial, Anthony Ciuffetelli made every pole a winning one with Mcport In A Storm en route to a 1:57.2 victory. He had parked the betting favourite, Mcpansy and driver Steve Oldford, the entire mile.
The winner is owned by Ida Hardman and trained by Frenchy Fuller. Sent off at odds of over 10-1 Mcport In A Storm returned a $10.40 mutuel
(With files from the Billings Series)