by John Manzi, for the Delvin Miller Harness Drivers Association

Monticello, NY — On Sunday afternoon, July 18, three Billings splits went to post at Monticello Raceway and when the events were completed Ken “the Virginia Squire” Weckstein, Harvey “Doc” Stein and “Coach Paul” Minore each had reined a winner.

Geri Schwarz photo

Ken Weckstein notched his first Billings triumph of the year with Buck ID.

Weckstein’s 2:00.3 triumph with his own Buck ID was the fastest of the three splits and an easy victory for “the Virginia Squire.” Weckstein, an attorney from Great Falls, Virginia, took no prisoners when he sent Buck ID to the lead from their pole position and then they got first call at every stanza en route to a four length victory over Banker Ablaze and driver “Gentleman Jamie” Marra. Though Cory “the Teenage Terror” Stratton sat a two-hole journey with Invocation the entire mile, when it came time to fire as the field headed for paydirt Invocation came up empty and had to settle for third money.

For Weckstein it was his first driving victory in four seasonal starts and the 21st of his amateur driving career.

A second division saw Harvey Stein start from the pole position with Zann Fancisco Bay and use the same strategy as Weckstein did as they romped to an 11 legnth triumph over Play Time and John ”Night Train” Regina. Just a nose behind in third place was Roan Ronnie, driven by “Cowboy Eric” Taddeo.

Stein, a veterinarian, scored the 23rd victory of his driving career.

A final Billings division went to Over The Wire and Paul Minore in a 2:02.1 clocking. After shadowing Scott “the Driving Doctor” Woogen who set the pace with Beach Vacation, Minore waited until room was available in the passing lane and then angled his trotter to the inside and they sped by the leader for a 1-1/4 length victory. Doc Woogen held on for second place and the show dough went to Pilgrims Kassie and driver “Hot-Shot Harry” Pozefsky.

Minore owns a world record for a trotter going the distance of 1-1/8th miles when he won with Another Blizzard in 2:15.3 back on May 7, 2000. Thus far the former high school coach of the great Carl Lewis notched his 67th career win.