by John Manzi, for the Billings Series

Monticello, NY — Harness racing’s greatest traveling roadshow moved on to the hallowed grounds at Delaware, Ohio, for two trotting events in the C.K.G. Billings Amateur Driving Series on Sunday (Sept. 18). And when the judges hung the official sign upon the completion of those races, “Yankee Joe” Lee and Bob “the Lumberman” Troyer each emerged victorious in their respective splits. Lee won with A Crown For Lindy in 1:58.3 while Troyer scored behind Heza Rube in 2:00.

Speaking of hallowed grounds, Joe Lee works at one of the most famous ballparks in America, that being Yankee Stadium. His profession is being the Yankees locker room manager where he has been among the Bronx Bombers on a regular basis year in and year out. Although Lee takes that all in stride, his first time driving a winner over the Delaware, Ohio, double-oval was tremendous thrill for him.

“Last year I finished second and this was my first win at the home of the Little Brown Jug,” Lee said. “I can’t tell you how thrilling that was. And to be standing in that winner’s circle, wow!”

But victory didn’t come easy.

“I had the four-hole and left out of there but the holes all closed up so I brushed to the lead past the quarter,” Lee related. “From there I think I rated my horse pretty well the rest of the way. Dein (Spriggs with Bold Strike) and I battled down the stretch and my horse dug in the last five steps and held Dein’s horse off by a head at the wire.”

Although they were one-two almost all the way, in the lane Dein “the Dream” Spriggs hustled Bold Strike out to challenge but they fell a neck shy to A Crown For Lindy. Third place went to the second longest shot on the board, Numbers Game, who was driven by Kenny “the Farmer” Heins.

A Crown For Lindy, who returned a $9.60 win mutuel, is owned and trained by Laura Searway. Lee, with seven wins, nine seconds, and six thirds, is having his best year while enjoying his times in the sulky.

A second Billings division saw “the Lumberman” sit back in the early going with Heza Rube, then charge three-deep on the final turn and go on to a one length triumph over Forceful Gale, driven by Gregg “Fast Greggy” Keidel.

A quick early pace was precipitated by a duel when Carl “Big Boy” Easterday Jr. played hard ball with “Hurricane Hannah” Miller, parking her trotter, Skyway Cruiser, the entire mile and needless to say both participants finished off the board.

But Troyer could see trouble in the making and moved Heza Rube as they approached the half. Heza Rube was in full steam up the backside so Troyer just wheeled him three-deep on the final turn and together they romped home to victory while keeping Forceful Gale and “Fast Greggy” at bay. Third place went to German amateur driver Max “Colonel” Schultz.

Troyer, a longtime avid participant in the Billings Series, has seen his enthusiasm wane in recent years but his six wins in 14 starts this season speaks volumes for Troyer’s talent.

Heza Rube, owned by Deborah Kvernmo and trained by Miles Wollam, paid $11.60 for win. It was Troyer’s 81st amateur driving victory.