by John Manzi, for the Delvin Miller Amateur Drivers Association

Monticello, NY — Over this past weekend besides the great action on the professional side of the business some of the sportsmen — and women — who enjoy racing as a hobby could be found competing in the C.K.G. Billings Harness Drivers Championship Series at Yonkers Raceway and Monticello Raceway.

On Saturday night (July 16) two trots went to post at 6 p.m. prior to the betting card at the Hilltop oval and after both were completed Peter “the Past President” Gerry and Dave “Linemaster” Ehrenberg emerged victorious in their respective divisions. Gerry won his behind his own Drill Sergeant Sam in 2:03 while Ehrenberg copped his split with his own Garland’s Brat in a 2:01.1 clocking.

Geri Schwarz photo

Joe Bongiorno sits confidently as Blade trots to a 2:02.1 Billings victory at Monticello on Sunday.

And the following day at the Mighty M, “Schoolboy Joe” Bongiorno recorded a 2:02.1 triumph with Ed and Ann Jordon’s veteran trotting gelding Blade.

Gerry won his division at Yonkers with a come-from-behind triumph. After going to the pylons as the starting judge yelled “go,” Gerry bided his time and didn’t make a move in the soft 1:02.2 half. Up the backside Gerry swung Drill Sergeant Sam to the outside — and then three-deep — but they were still only in fifth position at the top of the stretch, still some three lengths behind.

But with mild urging Gerry’s trotter circled the leaders and finished 1-1/4 lengths in front of runner-up Rel Postage Due and driver Simeon “Hot Rod” Hunsdon. Harvey “Doc” Stein and Sir Kensington were third best, some three lengths off the winner at the wire. For Gerry it marked his 77th career amateur driving victory.

In his division Dave Ehrenberg took no prisoners and sent his charge to the lead from the three hole and proceeded to make every pole a winning one en route to a 1-1/4 length triumph over Double Strength and driver Dave “Yes It’s True” Offenberg. “Lightning Laura” MacNamara, who carried the staff for the ladies in that contest, took home the show dough with Anahar Charlie. For the pride of Westerville, Ohio, it was his second Billings victory of the season and 34th in his career.

The next day the traveling Billings battlers convened at Monticello Raceway for a trotting contest on the betting card. Sunday racing is not part of the usual schedule at the Mighty M but that day was added so that the raceway could be part of the industry-wide “Back to the Track” promotion this past weekend.

On that sunny and warm afternoon “Schoolboy Joe” Bongiorno, a high school student from Colt’s Neck, N.J., scored his fourth driving victory of the year in just 13 starts when he romped to a three length, 2:02.1 victory with Blade.

After leaving from the pole position Bongiorno allowed Dave “Steady As” Yarock and Biggerthebetter to take command at the quarter pole but then immediately retook the lead and Blade led the field by the halfway point in :59.4.

From there they were never in trouble and the veteran Enjoy Lavec gelding cruised to an easy three length victory in a 2:02.1 clocking over Oliver kiss and Laura MacNamara. A neck farther back in third place was Make It Hot and Harvey Stein.

Last year the 17-year-old Bongiorno had six wins, two seconds and three thirds in 14 starts, which earned him National Amateur Driver of the Year honors. In just 27 career starts for purse money Bongiorno has 10 wins, three seconds and four thirds and it’s no secret when he turns 18 years of age on September 23 he will turn professional and join the likes of Jimmy Taggart, Jr., Harry Landy, and Jordan and Cory Stratton, who began their careers in the amateur ranks.

Next up for the Billings Series is a contest on Thursday afternoon (July 21) at the Afton Agricultural Fair in Afton, N.Y.