by John Manzi, for the Delvin Miller Amateur Drivers Association

Monticello, NY — The C.K.G. Billings Harness Driving Championship Series, which began in late April, is heading down the homestretch.

On Friday (Oct. 21), an eight-horse pace will go to post as race number five on the betting card at Batavia Downs and the following evening at Vernon Downs, 11 Billings battlers will compete at 6:30 p.m in a non-wagering affair prior to the betting card getting underway.

Three gentlemen, Peter “the Past President” Gerry, Tony “the Capo” Verruso (the current Billings president) and Vladimir “Butch” Melnichenko, will drive at both venues.

After the events, only four locations remain prior to the regional finals. On Saturday (Nov. 19) the top point earners in the Midwest Region will battle at Northfield Park while on the following afternoon at Harrrah’s Chester, the leaders in the East will clash. Then on Friday (Dec. 2) the Delvin Miller Memorial Gold, Silver and Bronze Cup Championships will be raced at The Meadows.

As was the case last season in the Midwest Region, Steve “You’re Never Too” Oldford will repeat as the points champion. His 121 points are 53 better than runner-up Dave “Linemaster” Ehrenberg’s 68.

However, it’s a different story in the East. Tony Verruso and Simeon “Hot Rod” Hunsdon are currently deadlocked, each with 96 points, four better than Dave “Steady As” Yarock’s 92. And Peter Gerry, with 82 points, still is in the hunt. As it happened last year, the battle in this region will again go down to the wire.