by John Manzi, for the C.K.G. Billings Amateur Driving Series

Monticello, NY — Veteran Billings members Robert “Rapid Rail” Krivelin and “Trader Bud” Hatfield each were victorious in Billings contests on Friday (July 19), Krivelin at the Meadowlands and Hatfield at Scioto Downs.

Krivelin, last year’s National Amateur Driver of the Year, scored with Current Crisis in a 1:57.4 clocking while Hatfield prevailed with Brother Gus in 1:59.2.

Krivelin had to defeat 11 others on the mile oval and he did it with a cool-headed drive. He floated away from the mobile gate and settled in fourth position as Tony “the Capo” Verruso, with Sam’s Honeybee, and Bob “the Headhunter” Hechkoff and Thehouseisrockin battled head to head past the quarter in :29 and by the halfway point in :57.1.

With the large field many horses never saw the pylons and there was plenty of action early. But by the time the 12 trotters turned for home, “Coach Paul” Minore and Wygant Prince had command with Krivelin and Current Crisis in hot pursuit on the outside.

As they trotted through the homestretch Current Crisis gained command and held tough for a length triumph over Wygant Prince. Don “We’re Ready To Draw” Hoover and Neon Dream had a tough trip on the outside the entire way but they still managed to finish third.

For Krivelin it was his fifth seasonal driving victory and the 146th of his amateur career. Owned by Krivelin’s Hero Stable and trained by Krivelin, Current Crisis returned an $11.80 win mutuel.

On the same evening in Columbus, Ohio, “Trader Bud,” also a former National Amateur Driver of the Year, gunned his odds-on favorite Brother Gus to the front from the seven hole and raced virtually unchallenged through fractions of :28.1, :59.2 and 1:28.2 before holding off a late charge by Condor Hall in rein to “Dundee Joe” Miller to score a 1-1/2 length victory. “Marvelous Marv” Raber took home the show dough with Tabulator, who won the Billings Trot at Northfield Park on July 13.

The victory for “Trader Bud” was his second in three seasonal starts and the 225th of his amateur driving career. Trained by Brent Davis for the Hatfield Stables, Brother Gus paid $3.40 for win.