by John Manzi, for the Delvin Miller Amateur Drivers Association

Monticello, NY — If there was ever a doubt that the C.K.G. Billings Harness Driving Championship Series wasn’t an international event, put that theory to rest. On Saturday (September 10) and Sunday (September 11) a contingent of Billings members will again be welcomed with open arms by the good folks in the Canadian Maritimes at two racetracks on Prince Edward Island.

On Saturday, two pacing events are afforded the traveling Billings crew at Charlottetown Driving Park and will go as races five and seven on their 12-race program. The next day the same traveling harness racing ambassadors will venture to Summerside Raceway where they will again participate in races three and five on their 12-race card.

Those who will make the trek to the beautiful Canadian Maritimes include Steve “You’re Never Too” Oldford, Hal “Smiley” Edwards, Peter “the Past President” Gerry, “Racin’ Jason” Sgrignouli, “Gentleman Jamie” Marra, “Joltin’ Joe” Pennacchio, Dave “Yes It’s True” Offenberg and “Howie the Horse” Gelfand.

According to Steve Oldford the trip to the Canadian Maritimes is always much anticipated.

“We look forward to this trip each year,” he says. “We’ve made friends over the years and the folks up there treat us like royalty. There’s such beauty there unlike what most of us never see at home. And the lobsters are great, too.”

If the local track odds-makers are on the money Joe Pennacchio and Steve Oldford will handle the favorites in the races at Charlottetown while at Summerside, Jamie Marra and Howie Gelfand have drawn the early line favorites in both events.

However, don’t put a circle around their names on the race programs yet, because, as Yogi Berra famously said, “it ain’t over till it’s over.”