by John Manzi, for the C.K.G. Billings Series
Monticello, NY — On Thursday, July 10, one C.K.G Billings Amateur Driving Series eastern region division will go to post as race number five on the 15-race program at the Afton Driving Park and Agricultural Association-sponsored 4-H Fair in Afton, N.Y.
The field, in post position order, with drivers includes: High Maker (1-Eric “the Red” Taddeo); Imaginary (2-“Dynamite Dave” Drew); Perfect Gerry (3-George “the Brooklyn Cowboy” Casale); Pocket Pita (4-Don “We’re Ready To Draw” Hoover); and Say Cheese (5-“Daring Dave” Pozefsky).
The race will mark the fifth consecutive year that the C.K.G. Billings Amateur Driving Series, affectionately known as the Grand Circuit of Amateur Driving, will make a stop at the Afton Fair which makes Frank Tingley a happy man.
Mainly because of Tingley’s steadfast efforts, harness racing continues at the little country fair in the community of Afton, some 40 miles northeast of Binghamton, just off Interstate 88.
Tingley, from a long line of harness horsemen, has been preparing the racetrack for the upcoming harness races, which the 4-H country fair has been hosting since 1889.
Four years ago in mid-July the trotting track record was lowered by a Billings horse and driver when Rob “Rapid Rail” Krivelin guided his old war horse Unitas to a 2:04 victory which was, and still is, the fastest trotting mile ever at Afton.