by John Manzi, for the Billings Series

Billings photo

Billings members donated $1,000 to a local charity prior to the amateur race at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

Monticello, NY — Besides offering races to many racetracks which, especially in this day and age, are welcomed to help fill their racing programs, the granddaddy of all amateur organizations, the C.K.G. Billings Harness Driving Association, donated to a local charity while the Billings members were competing in Canada.

“We donated $1,000 to a women’s shelter near Mohawk while we were racing in Canada,” noted Billings vice president Steve Oldford. “We presented the check in the winner’s circle prior to the start of our race at Woodbine Mohawk Park on May 28.”

Ever since the Billings Series was instituted in the early 1980s the competing amateurs have donated many tens of thousands of dollars to charities, as well as being a major supporter of the Harness Racing Museum.