by John Manzi, for the Billings Series

Monticello, NY — The first Billings Series race of the season in the Midwest region as contested over Miami Valley Raceway’s five-eighths mile oval and to no one’s surprise the 9-10 betting favorite, Heza Rube, lived up to his expectations and cruised to an easy three length triumph with Bob “The Lumberman” Troyer at the controls.

When the wings of the mobile starting gate folded a speed duel ensued between Celtic Merchant (Steve “You’re Never Too” Oldford) and Speed Hanover (“Slick Rick” Braun) as the two trotters raced as a team to the quarter in :27.4 and they were still battling as they headed to the half. But at that point Troyer moved Heza Rube off the pylons and up behind Speed Hanover as Celtic Merchant got first call as they passed the half in :57.3.

Once the field headed up the backside Troyer moved three-deep to the lead which he got without any trouble and then played catch me if you can. And no one could as Heza Rube chugged home an easy winner in a time of 1:57.3 over Oldfield’s Celtic Merchant.

“I knew they were going at a good clip upfront and I figured they’d come back to me and I didn’t want to get pinned in so I moved up behind Speed Hanover as we were going to the half. And just as soon as we rounded the (clubhouse) turn I was out and going and my horse easily made the front-end and we didn’t have a bit of trouble from there to the wire,” Troyer said by telephone after the race.

Third place went to 20-1 shot Unlimited Winner, driven by Northfield Park’s outrider Nadine “the Queen” Habke who was driving for the first time in the C.K.G Billings Amateur Series.

Heza Rube, a 6-year old altered son of Master Lavec, scored his second seasonal victory. He is owned by Deborah Kvernmo and trained by Marty Wollem. For Troyer it was his 77th career driving victory.