by John Manzi, for the Billings Series

Nichols, NY — The ever-traveling CKG Billings Amateur Driving Series moved on to Tioga Downs for a trotting contest on Saturday (Aug. 18) and it turned out to be ladies night when Annie “Get Your Gun” Stoebe used the front-end route with Uriel to hold off “Lady Jennifer” Lappe and Celebrity Blue Chip for a 1:56.4 victory which marked the first time this season—maybe ever– that women finished one-two in a Billings event.

When the wings of the mobile gate folded Stoebe wasted no time sending Uriel to the front and they had a two-length lead on Celebrity Blue Chip at the first quarter which was trotted in :28.1. When Stoebe began to slow the pace “Buffalo Bob” Davis , who was sitting third, was out and going with Connie Keeper and they ranged alongside Uriel but as they did Miss Annie stepped on the gas and Uriel trotted the third quarter in :28 which not only put away Connie Keeper but opened daylight on Lappe’s charge as the timer flashed 1:27.3.

When the field headed down the lane Uriel had two lengths on Celebrity Blue Chip as Connie Keeper faded. At the wire Uriel was one-length winner. Celebrity Blue Chip held second and Connie Keeper finished third, seven lengths behind the winner.

It was the fourth victory of the season for Uriel, a 7-year-old Explosive Matter gelding who returned a $13.40 mutuel. He’s owned and trained by Stoebe who scored her fourth seasonal driving victory.