by John Manzi, for the Delvin Miller Harness Drivers Association

Monticello, NY — As the C.K.G. Billings Harness Driving Championship Series heads into the homestretch, races are carded at both the Red Mile and at the Fairfield County Fair in Lancaster, Ohio, on Thursday afternoon, October 14.

Two trotting splits will go to post over the red dirt at Lexington and one trot is slated over the double oval in Lancaster.

After Thursday’s races only five more venues remain until the top point earners square off in regional finals action. In the Midwest the events are set for Saturday, November 20, at Northfield Park while in the Eastern Region finals action will be at Harrah’s Chester on Monday, November 22.

A check of the regional leaderboards finds “Gentleman Jamie” Marra leading in the East and Steve “You’re Never Too” Oldford on top in the Midwest.

The Eastern Region leaderboard is as follows: Jamie Marra’s 108 points leads runner-up Tony “the Capo” Verruso’s 101 by seven points. Simeon “Hot Rod” Hunsdon is third with 98 followed by Dave “Steady As” Yarock, 83, “Lightning Laura” MacNamara has 80 points and Rob “Rapid Rail” Krivelin has 73. Rounding out the top 10 in that region are Cory “the Teenage Terror” Stratton (72), “Coach Paul” Minore (64), “Smokin’ Joe” Faraldo (63) and “Cowboy Eric” Taddeo (58). However, Stratton is no longer eligible since he turned professional on August 12.

In the Midwest Steve Oldford’s 135 points is tops on that region’s leaderboard. His total is 37 more than runner-up “Tar Heel Tom” Williams’ 98. Kelly “Sky” Walker is third with 74 followed by “Michelle the Belle” Ruvola (72), Dave “Linemaster” Ehrenberg III (69) and Milton “American Winner” Smith with 54. Rounding out the top ten are “Trader Bud” Hatfield (49), Sherwin “Smiley” Edwards (38), “Dandy Daniel” St. Pierre (36) and “Racin’ Jason” Sgrignuoli (34).