Tony Ciuffetelli wins Billings Trot at Monticello
May 31, 2018,by John Manzi, for the Billings Series
Monticello, NY — Thursday (May 31) started out gloomy in the lower Catskills region of New York State, but as luck would have it, any precipitation that fell from the heavens held off during the racing program at Monticello Raceway.
Featured today at the Mighty M was a Billings Trot that attracted seven horses — all veterans — and when the winner’s number was posted on the tote board, it belonged to Better To Be Lucky, capably driven by his owner-trainer, “Tough Tony” Ciuffetelli.
Starting from the three-hole, Ciuffetelli gunned his charge to the front and surprisingly Better To Be Lucky had command before the first turn.
Geri Schwarz photo
Better To Be Lucky and owner/trainer/driver Tony Ciuffetelli won in Billings Series action Thursday at Monticello Raceway.
“He’s been racing really well for me this season, having already won three of seven starts, all of which came from behind. But today after looking over the official program, it appeared that there were no leavers in the field so I decided to send ‘Better’ to the front,” Ciuffetelli said.
After a :29 first quarter, Ciufettelli kept the pedal to the metal and he and his charge trotted by the halfway point in :58.1. They were being chased by “Coach Paul” Minore and Wygant Prince along with Tim Lizzi and “Yankee Joe” Lee in the pilot’s seat.
“I had still ‘lotsa horse’ as we trotted by the three-quarters, and we were still fairly comfortable as we straightened for home. But when we neared the wire, I felt ‘Better’ come back to me a bit. But at that point we were almost home,” Ciufettelli explained.
When they hit the finish wire in a time of 1:59.4, Better To Be Lucky had a neck advantage over Tim Lizzie. Coming from far back to be third was Starsaboveallerage, driven by Steve “You’re Never Too” Oldford.
Sent off at odds of over 2-1, Better To Be Lucky returned a $6.10 win mutuel.
Next up in Billings action is a Midwest Region event at The Meadows on Saturday (June 2).