by John Manzi, for the Billings Series

Monticello, NY — Former National Amateur Driver of the Year Steve “You’re Never To” Oldford notched his eighth seasonal driving victory behind Bold Strike while competing in a C.K.G. Billings Midwest Regional trotting contest at Northfield Park on Friday night (June 19).

In doing so Oldford worked out a picture-perfect journey, falling into the two hole after the first turn and then stalking Dave “Linemaster” Ehrenberg II with the pacesetter King Tut.

“I knew Dave was going to leave out of there and I wanted to be near him so I hustled my horse away from the gate, too,” Oldford said. “Larry (“Lawbook” Larry Farley) had the same idea with Good Friend and we were trotting at a pretty good clip around the first turn. I was lucky to find some room between Dave and Larry and fell in behind King Tut which gave my old warhorse cover and a good trip.”

Ehrenberg and King Tut showed the way by the first stanza in a swift :28. He was able to give his trotter a breather as they passed the halfway point in :59 with both Oldford and Farley in close pursuit.

“I tipped out up the backside and we raced head to head from there and the race was on. My horse finally cleared King Tut halfway down the homestretch and went on to a one length victory in (1):59.4,” Oldford added.

Good Friend rallied to be second while King Tut faded a bit and finished a close third.

Having initially drawn post position eight Oldford was asked if the race would have had a different outcome had it not been for two late scratches.

“I don’t think so,” Oldford replied. “We were the best three horses in the race.”

Bold Strike, who had won a previous Billings Trot at Northfield Park in 1:59.2 earlier this year, was sent off as the even money favorite in the race and returned a $4.00 win mutuel.

For Oldford is was the beginning of a busy weekend as he headed for Billings action at Tioga Downs on Saturday and then to Buffalo Raceway on Sunday.

“I’ll be in Monticello on Thursday (June 25) for two amateur races there in the afternoon and then on to Yonkers for a Billings trot in the evening. Amateur racing is getting bigger than ever and we amateurs help fill the betting cards at many tracks now,” Oldford explained.