by John Manzi, for the Delvin Miller Harness Drivers Association

Monticello, NY — What do a teenager and a financial planner have in common? If that question refers to the Billings Trotting Series the answer unequivocally is that each drove a winner at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs on Saturday (Nov. 6).

The teenager, 17-year-old Joey “the Teen” Bongiorno, scored a 1:57.4 triumph with Winterleebrook in his division while the financial planner, Dave Yarock, reined PA Plates to a 2:01.1 triumph in his split.

The events at the Northeastern Pa. five-eighths-mile oval were the next to last in the C.K.G. Billings Harness Driving Championship Series which began on April 23 at Pompano Park in Florida. The final preliminary legs — prior the regional finales — will be contested at Yonkers Raceway on November 15.

This season Bongiorno was one of three talented teenagers who recently started their careers in the Billings Series, the others being Cory Stratton and Harry Landy, who have each turned professional, a direction that Bongiorno is surely seeking.

Bongiorno, still a high school student who takes time off to drive in harness races, shows he has what it takes. His victory at Pocono Downs was his third consecutive in the Billings Series and his current point total makes him a lock to compete in the Delvin Miller Gold Cup Championship Final which will be raced at The Meadows on December 6.

In his split on Saturday the teenager was content to sit back off speedy early fractions posted by “Tar Heel Tom” Williams and Magic, and then rallied three-deep at the third stanza. From there his trotter, Winterleebrook, charged home an easy nine length winner over Double Strength and Dave “Yes It’s True” Offenberg. Saratoga Raceway’s racing secretary, Don “We’re Ready To Draw” Hoover, finished third with Civil Cause.

In his division, Dave Yarock used a similar strategy with PA Plates, staying back off Dave “Linemaster” Ehrenberg II and Garland’s Brat’s quick early pace, and then rallying in the deep stretch to score a one length triumph in 2:01.1 over Admirable Hanover and Peter “the Past President” Gerry. The pacesetter, Garland’s Brat, faded and finished third.

The pre-race hype concerned the eastern region point leaders but the duel between “Gentleman Jamie” Marra, Simeon “Hot Rod” Hunsdon and Tony “the Capo” Verruso proved futile when Hunsdon finished sixth in his split and Verruso and Marra finished fifth and seventh, respectively, in their division.

However, all is not lost since the lead at the top didn’t change and now the three gentleman drivers can battle for the championship in the final contests at Yonkers Raceway next Monday.