by John Manzi, for the Delvin Miller Amateur Drivers Association

Monticello, NY — The Billings point leader in the Midwest Region, Steve “You’re Never Too” Oldford, will be among the participants when the C.K.G. Billings Harness Driving Series makes its annual stop at Historic Track in Goshen, N.Y., on Sunday afternoon (July 3).

However, the points leader in the Eastern Region, Tony “the Capo” Verruso, will be idle.

Three six-horse divisions are on tap at ‘the Cradle of the Trotter’ that day and will go as races one, six and nine on their 12-race card.

A contingent of Billings battlers were in Canada last weekend to race at three different tracks there and most of those who competed are registered for points in the Midwest Region. Understandably, the majority of the drivers at Goshen are from the Eastern Region.

Oldford’s 52 points is not only tops in the Midwest, but leads the combined points standings also. He will handle SA Poster Boy and start from post three in the first race. Current runner-up in points on the Midwest leaderboard, “Roundhouse Rob” Krivelin, has High Esteem in that contest and they’ll leave from the two hole.

David “Steady As” Yarock, who is runner-up in points in the East, will be behind Biggerthebetter and start from post six in the second Billings split, race six.

In the third Billings division, the ninth race, professional trainer Gary Messenger will send out three trotters, all with different patrons of his at the lines. Messenger will be harnessing trotters for patrons Scott “the Driving Doctor” Woogen (1-Valcyon Days); Gerry “the Catskill Cat” Fielding (2-Spurofthemuscle) and Ken “the Virginia Squire” Weckstein (5-Strength’s Victory), all of whom own horses in the Messenger barn.

And it’s not all about the men either. Two women will be among the 18 participating drivers. They include Terry “the Dairy Queen” Donnelly and “Lightning Laura” MacNamara. Donnelly will handle Jay A Novak and start from post four in race one while MacNamara will guide Oliver Kiss and leave from the four hole in race nine.

Post time that afternoon will be at 1:15 p.m.