by John Manzi, for the Billings Series

Wauseon, OH — Steve Oldford, a former National Amateur Driver of the Year, is back in the winner’s circle for the 127th time since the business professional began driving in the amateur ranks.

That milestone was accomplished in a Midwest region Billings trot at the Fulton County Fair in Wauseon, Ohio, on Saturday (Sept. 2) when he guided The Budster to a 2:02.4 victory over four others.

“This was the first time that the Billings ever raced at Wauseon,” Oldford related via telephone. “We (the Billings) got to race there due to the efforts of Larry Farley, who, by the way, sponsored the winning blanket trophy.”

Five Billings members from the Midwest region convened at Wauseon and by all indications the race was a barn-burner.

Oldford enjoyed a pocket trip after starting from the five-hole as Indalecio “Rocket” Arriaga parked Patricia “the Right Stuff” Miller through fast early fractions of :30.3 and 1:00.3, and it wasn’t until the three-quarters that Miller’s Keep The Cash tired.

From that point, a three-horse race ensued between Oldford’s, The Budster, Gregg “ Fast Greggy” Keidel’s, Kween Mightus, and Lawbook Larry” Farley’s Ronan.

All three of the aforementioned trotters nearly hit the finish line simultaneously.

“It was so close that neither of us was sure who the winner was,” Oldford said.

However, the finish line photo camera knew.

When the judges reviewed the photograph The Budster was a head winner over Kween Mightus and a nose farther back in third place was Ronan.

Oldford owns the winner, who is trained by Terry Deters. Sent off a slight favorite in a well-balanced field The Budster paid $5.00 for win.

According to Oldford the hospitality shown the Billings participants was wonderful.

“Wauseon is a great fair and we look forward to returning annually,” he added.