by John Manzi, for the Delvin Miller Harness Drivers Association

Monticello, NY — The stars came out this past weekend — at least as far as amateur racing is concerned.

On Saturday night (Sept. 18), two Billings events were contested at Raceway Park in Toledo and the following day at Delaware, the home of the Little Brown Jug, three Billings races were on the 18-race card there. Tony “the Capo” Verruso and Milton “American Winner” Smith won their divisions at Toledo while “Michelle the Belle” Ruvola, Dave “Linemaster” Ehrenberg and “Tar Heel Tom” Williams all visited the winner’s circle over the lightning fast oval at Delaware.

For Milton Smith it marked two consecutive Billings triumphs for him after he guided Jet Set Julie to a one length victory over 74-1 shot Illegally Blond and driver “Gentleman Jamie” Marra in a 1:59.1 clocking. Steve “You’re Never Too” Oldford finished third in that one with True Value.

Tony Verruso romped to victory in the other Raceway Park split when he reined odds-on favorite George’s Vacation to a seven length victory in a time of 2:02.2. Second money and points went to Mike “the Vet” Caston while Glitter N Grit and “Canada Philip” Bo Sowers took home the show dough with Westgate Magician.

At opening day at the Delaware County Fair, Dave Ehrenberg II and his Garland’s Brat turned in very creditable clocking when Ehrenberg and the 5-year-old Garland Lobell gelding used the front-end route to score in 1:58.3. They turned back Celebrity Yank and Milton Smith by just a length while “Lightning Laura” Mac Namara and Excellent Caviar finished third, only a short three lengths behind the winner.

However, the talented Michelle Ruvola carried the staff for the lady drivers — and there were only two competing in the Billings at Delaware — when she guided Spit Happens to a wire-to-wire, 2:01.1 performance over Goaline Stand and driver Dave “Steady As” Yarock. Dale “the Big Boss” Zahn gave his 42-1 shot, Bahama Yankee, a good trip and together they finished third, beaten only two lengths.

A final Billings division saw former National Amateur Driver of the Year Tom Williams and D W’s Perky Joe stalk the pacesetter Done Dreamen and “Trader Bud” Hatfield until the top of the lane, then rally to a head victory over a stubborn Done Dreamen in a time of 1:58.3. Steve Oldford and Celtic Merchant were three lengths behind in third place.

Billings action next weekend will be at Batavia Downs on Friday, Sept. 24, and at Vernon Downs on Saturday, Sept. 25. On Sunday, Sept. 26, a Billings event is slated in Maine at the Cumberland Fair.