by John Manzi, for the Delvin Miller Amateur Drivers Association

Monticello, NY — The tour of the trio of Canadian racetracks by the Billings participants proved to be a pleasurable undertaking but the contests on Friday night (June 24) were especially pleasing for Sherwin “Smiley” Edwards, who showed versatility in the sulky, winning both a Billings Trot and a Billings Pace at Grand River Raceway.

And the following day (June 25), Series president Tony “the Capo” Verruso scored one for the New York contingent while Vladimir “Butch” Melnichko was victorious again on the three-track tour when he won a pacing contest at Georgian Downs. He won a Billings trot at Rideau Carleton Raceway on Thursday.

Iron Horse Photo

The Billings drivers gathered for a photo at Grand River Raceway.

But Edwards’ driving double was arguably the standout performance during the trip north of the border. Maybe it was that being from Canada gave Edwards an advantage but the rest of the drivers he raced against dismissed that thought. Nevertheless, Edwards, in four starts, had two wins and a second, and had his trotter been on stride at the wire on Thursday at Rideau Carleton in his dead-heat finish with Steve “You’re Never Too” Oldford, he would not have been placed second and the man from Terrebone, QC, would have enjoyed a hat trick on the Billings Canadian tour.

On Friday night in the first Billings event — a pace at Grand River Raceway — Edwards sent his charge, The Steelman, to the lead from the four hole and took no prisoners as they sailed virtually unchallenged throughout the mile and scored a two length triumph over the Tony Verruso-driven Greek Shark in a time of 1:58.2. Melnichenko took home the show dough with Guy Lee Hawke in that contest.

Since the front-end worked so well for Edwards with the pacer, he used the same strategy with Brontewine in the trotting contest. After leaving from the six hole, Edwards gained command early and in spite of a tight two hole journey by Steve Oldford and Northern Jetstream, when the field rounded the final turn Edwards played catch me if you can, which proved unwavering, and Brontewine trotted to a 2:02.1, 1-1/4 length victory over Oldford’s charge. Again, like in the pacing contest, Melnichenko took home the show dough, this time with Stormont Yeltsin.

The next day, Saturday, June 25, the final leg of the three-track tour was contested at Georgian Downs where another trotting and pacing event awaited the Billings battlers.

In the first contest, a trot, Tony Verruso bided his time while trailing the field for the first half-mile with Slinginsand, who finally made a move at that point and slowly they began to pick up horses. By the time they reached the leader — Coochie Lane, driven by Steve Oldford — at the top of the lane, Verruso had Slinginsand in high gear and they wore down the pacesetter to score a 2:02.1 triumph. Coochie Lane held on for second while “Dan The Man” Nikac rambled home in third place with Armbro Edwards.

The second event, the pace, saw Melnichenko rein his second winner on the tour when he hustled Torrent Seelster to a neck victory over Matters The Most, who was driven by Tony Verruso.

It was Verruso and Matters The Most who cut the swift, early fractions but they couldn’t contain the late charge by Melnicheko and Torrent Seelster, even though the margin of victory was slim. Third place went to Steve Oldford with Voices Carry. The final time of 1:56 was one of the faster events in Billings history.

Billings vice president Steve Oldford summed up the three-track tour with these statements.

“From Ottawa to Grand River and all the way up to Barrie, Ontario, the Billings brigade charged through Ontario with a vengeance. Starting in Ottawa the troops were treated to a festive dinner at Rideau Carleton, hosted by race secretary Terry Lentz.

“The next night after crossing Ontario westward to Grand River Raceway, the very hospitable crowd cheered enthusiastically for each race, where “Smiley” looped the field and scored easy victories There the drivers were recipients of gifts, interviews, and a group picture in the winner’s circle following the races.

“Many of the racers then toured the Northern most stop of Barrie, Ontario, before settling in at Georgian Downs, finishing late Saturday night. “Capo Tony” and Vlad battled for each of their respective wins.

“Afterwards the group then began their long journey home. Vladimir Melnichenko led the points total for the weekend, gaining 33 valuable points while I was second with 30 and President Tony was third with 25.”

Oldford then added, “As competitive as it was on the racetrack, the camaraderie and sportsmanship exhibited by the group and their host tracks was outstanding. The C.K.G. Billings Harness Driving Club would like to thank each of the three tracks for hosting the events and personally to the outstanding job by each race secretary.”