by John Manzi, for the Delvin Miller Harness Drivers Association

Monticello, NY — With the completion of the 29th season of the C.K.G. Billings Amateur Driving Series — now known as the C.K.G. Billings Harness Driving Championship Series — on Monday, Nov. 15, the top point earners in both the eastern and midwestern regions are now set to battle in the regional finals.

On Saturday night (Nov. 20) the top point earners in the Midwest region will duke it out at Northfield Park and on the following day the leaders in the eastern region will scuffle at Harrah’s Chester.

Headlining each regional finale will be the divisional point champions, Steve “You’re Never Too” Oldford and “Gentleman Jamie” Marra. Oldford’s 135 points earned him top honors in the Midwest and Marra’s 114 points were the best in the east. Oldford’s 135 points also topped the combined points leaderboard.

At Northfield Park on Saturday night Oldford will handle Celtic Merchant and start from post two in the Midwest Region Final. Dave “Linemaster” Ehrenberg, with Garland’s Brat from the pole position, and “Trader Bud” Hatfield, with Slated For Success from the four hole, could pose a problem for Oldford. So could DW’s Perky Joe, who’ll be driven by “Tar Heel Tom” Williams.

Also with a chance to take home the Midwest Region trophy are the father-daughter duo of “Chicago George” Bonomo and “Michelle the Belle” Ruvola, the latter a Billings winner at Yonkers Raceway on Nov. 14.

Other talented amateur reinsmen in that contest are Gavin “Bim Bam” Bixler, Kelly “Sky” Walker and Milton “American Winner” Smith.

So with the outstanding talent in the sulkies that night nothing is a given and racing luck will undoubtedly determine the winner.

Post time for the Saturday night card at Northfield Park is at 7 p.m. with the eighth race Billings Regional Final slated at approximately 9:20 p.m.

On Sunday afternoon (Nov. 21) this season’s cream of the amateur driving crop in the eastern region will battle in race number two at Harrah’s Chester.

Marra will handle Civil Cause and start from post position two. It was his victory with Civil Cause at Yonkers Raceway last Monday that enabled Marra to win the East region points crown over Simeon “Hot Rod” Hunsdon. But with the likes of Domi Racer, with Hunsdon aboard, and Winterleebrook, who’ll be handled by Joey “the Teen” Bongiorno, Marra’s trotter will have to be at the top of his game.

Other top flight eastern region amateurs will be competing in that region’s finale too, so this event, especially on the five-eighths-mile oval, could be won by any of the drivers. They include Tony “the Capo” Verruso, “Smokin’ Joe” Faraldo, “Coach Paul” Minore, Rob “Rapid Rail” Krivelin, Dave “Yes It’s True” Offenberg and Dave “Steady As” Yarock.

Post time for the Sunday program at Harrah’s Chester is at 12:45 p.m. with the Billings event slated for approximately 1:05 p.m.

After the regional finals are completed the Delvin Miller Memorial Gold, Silver and Bronze Cup Championships will be contested, for the second consecutive season, at The Meadows in western Pennsylvania.