by John Manzi, for the Delvin Miller Harness Drivers Association

Monticello, NY — Lady drivers are beginning to get more respect on the race track with each ensuing season and in this year’s Billings Harness Driving Championship Series a few have proven they can compete with anyone, gender excluded. Include in that list, Kathryn “High Flying” Hawk.

Basically racing around the Ohio County Fair circuit, Hawk sports three wins in five drives thus far this year and has 42 wins in 155 career starts. And on Monday, August 16, she won the Billings Trot at the Muskingum County Fair in Zanesville.

Up behind Donald McClellen’s Sir Pete, the second choice in the wagering, Hawk took no prisoners in the seven horse contest and sailed wire-to-wire for a one length triumph in a time of 2:04.3 over Carry A Thirty Two and driver Bob “I Wanna Sell You A Car” Chapman. Third place went to Done Dreamen, driven by former National Amateur Driver of the Year, “Trader Bud” Hatfield.

Next Billings action is slated for Wednesday, August 18, at Tioga Downs in Nichols, N.Y. Among the drivers starting there are Steve “You’re Never Too” Oldford, Billings Series VP; Simeon “Hot Rod” Hunsdon, recently recuperating from cancer surgery; and George “the Brooklyn Cowboy” Casale, who annually hosts a barbecue for Billings members at his home off the paddock turn when the Billings Series makes a stop at Historic Track during July.