by John Manzi, for the Delvin Miller Amateur Drivers Association
Monticello, NY — On Tuesday (September 13) the C.K.G. Billings Harness Driving Championship Series moved on to Yonkers Raceway and maybe it was a case of ‘show me the money and I’ll come.’ Perhaps it was the $6,000 purses that attracted 16 better class trotters but it has been awhile since two full fields went to post in harness racing’s greatest traveling sideshow.
The two contests were raced prior to the betting card and when the judges hung the official signs Peter “the Past President” Gerry got off the schneid, copping his division with Drill Sergeant Sam in a time of 2:00.4 and Dave “Steady As” Yarock won his split behind his recent purchase Rompaway Alvin in 2:00.
By his own admission Gerry, a venture capitalist, said his journey with Drill Sergeant Sam was picture perfect.
“I got away second behind Laura (MacNamara-with Oliver Kiss) and much to my pleasure she parked out Dave (Ehrenberg-with Get Packin) and when his horse faded at the top of the stretch a hole opened, I pulled out, then pulled the (ear) plugs, and we trotted on to victory,” Gerry said. “Simeon (Hunsdon-with REL Postage Due) charged up the passing lane inside of Laura and she was a rose between two thorns when we finished the mile. It surely was a pleasurable win.”
“Lightning Laura” finished second and “Hot Rod” Hunsdon took home the show dough.
Yarock and Rompaway Alvin got away slowly in their Billings split, but when he moved his trotter to the outside they just kept the pedal to the metal. The duo trotted three wide up the backside and around the final turn before springing off to one length triumph over Bob “the Headhunter” Hechkoff. Despite a blown sulky tire, Tony “the Capo” Verruso finished third.
The victory by Yarock, a financial planner by trade, vaulted him into first place on the Eastern Region leaderboard. He now leads Hunsdon by five points, 93-88. Verruso is still holding down third position with 85 points.
On Thursday (September 15), a seven horse trot in the Billings series is slated at Wooster, Ohio and on Sunday (September 18) the amateur harness driving movement will be showcased over the lightning fast double oval at Delaware, Ohio.