by John Manzi, for the Delvin Miller Harness Drivers Association

Monticello, NY — After four months of competition the CKG Billings Harness Driving Championship Series, harness racing’s greatest traveling roadshow, is at its halfway point with plenty of action still to come in the ensuing months. The series will culminate in regional finales at the end of November with the Gold, Silver and Bronze Championship Finals slated for December 6 at The Meadows in western Pennsylvania.

Two trots are on tap Saturday night, August 28, at Vernon Downs which will mark the Billings return of Lon “Deli Boy” Frocione who will pilot Dusty Diamond, the favorite in the second split, who’ll race away from post position seven in the eight-horse field.

The longtime Chairman of USTA District 8 and 35-year president of the Central Harness Horsemen’s Association, Frocione brings with him 189 career driving victories, which places him among the elites in amateur racing.

Among those who will be looking to steal Frocione’ s thunder is former Amateur Driver of the Year “Tar Heel Tom” Williams, who is slated to handle 9-2 shot Magic from post six.

The second division is a wide open affair, attested to by the fact the early line favorite Lively Man has been rated at 7-2. Bob “Blue N” Gray will handle the driving chores from post position four.

Gray, and the others, will be challenged by 16-year-old Joey “the Lad” Bongiorno who will drive Mister Lucky Vec and leave from post seven in that contest. When he’s not driving, or when he’s not attending high school, young Joey can be found at Yankee Stadium where he is an equipment boy for the world champion New York Yankees.

On somewhat of a sad note, Cory “the Teenage Terror” Stratton, whose 72 points leads the Billings Eastern Region and trails Steve “You’re Never too” Oldford by 10 in the combined points category, has gone professional.

On August 12, Cory, the younger brother of Jordan Stratton, turned 18 and after his good showing in the Billings Series this year he has been awarded his “P” (provisional) license. The entire amateur movement wish Cory the best of luck in his chosen profession.