by John Manzi, for the Billings Series

Monticello, NY — The Grand Circuit of amateur racing, also known as the C.K.G. Billings Series, moved on to Monticello Raceway on Thursday (June 2) and when the director of racing Eric Warner opened the entry box for that day he was pleasantly surprised to find 20 entries in the Billings Trot. That would allow him to be able to card three good trotting events in eastern region action for Thursday and with them Monticello Raceway was able to offer 11 betting contests on the card that day.

“Hurricane Hannah” Miller won the first Billings trot with Blazin Delores in 2:00 while “Yankee Joe” Lee was triumphant with Woody in 2:01.3 in another. James “Jimmy Boy” Marshall IV scored in 1:58.4 with KLM Express in yet another.

Geri Schwarz photo

“Hurricane Hannah” Miller won the first Billings trot with Blazin Delores in 2:00.

In her event Miller scored her 11th driving victory this season and explained her victorious journey via e-mail.

“Blazin Delores raced great,” the talented miss said. “She was able to leave and get a trip while Dein Spriggs (with Saint Patty’s Doll) and Bob Davis (with Swift Blizzard) battled it out for the front. I waited for the passing lane and got up in time.”

Saint Patty’s Doll was second, beaten by just a head in a tight photo. Swift Blizzard nipped “Smokin’ Joe” Faraldo’s For You Almostfree for third money.

Owned and trained by Laurie Molnar, Blazin Delores paid $14.80 for win.

In the third Billings event Miller was up behind the favorite, Jacks To Open, but racing luck was not in her favor.

“Jack had a tougher trip in the last Billings race but I was able to work my way into the two hole before the half,” she explained. ”He still raced good and held on for second.”

The victory in that contest went to “Jimmy Boy” Marshall IV when he guided his uncle’s KLM Express to a gate-to-wire triumph in a solid 1:58.4 over the Mighty M’s double oval. Miller’s Jacks To Open was second, just 1-1/4 lengths behind the winner despite being parked to the half. Dave “the Rave” Offenberg took home the show dough with Bluebird Kidsqueen.

The race winner, KLM Express, is owned by “Jimmy Boy’s” uncle Richard Aiken and trained by his grandfather Bill Aiken. The trotter returned a $7.60 win mutuel.

In the other Billings event Joe Lee, the New York Yankees locker room manager, returned to the winner’s circle again when he reined Woody to a come-from-behind, one length victory over Ladys Big Stormont and driver Dein “the Dream” Spriggs in a 2:01.3 clocking. Third in that mile was Magglio, driven by Allen “Bo Bo” Sisco.

After the races were completed Lee expressed pleasure from his driving victory.

“In today’s fifth race there were a bunch of breaking horses so I decided to leave with Woody, which doesn’t happen often, and we ended up in the two hole as Dein Spriggs took command with Ladys Big Stormont.

“At the half Allen Sisco came out from third with Magglio and pressed Spriggs’ trotter the rest of the way. I waited until the passing lane and slid up the rail (plyons) to win by half a length and paid $44.00 as the longest shot on the board. Woody was great today in the turns and had plenty of trot in the lane.”

Woody, a 6-year-old altered son of Glidemaster, is owned by Woody Hoblitzell and trained by Bruce Aldrich Sr.

Billings action continues Friday night (June 3) with a Midwest region trot at Scioto Downs.