by John Manzi, for the Billings Series

Greenville, OH — On the pleasant evening of Wednesday (Aug. 22), with temperatures hovering in the mid-70s, seven venerable trotters lined-up behind the mobile starting gate, each with the task of trying to win the $2,800 Billings Trot over the finely manicured racing facility at the Darke County Fair.

And after an extremely competitive stretch duel Mike “the Mortgage Man” Mitchell and his B L Class Act emerged victorious, by a head, over the 1-2 betting favorite Body Of Work, driven by Billings newcomer Alesha “the Hoosier Hotshot” Binkley in a 2:01.1 clocking.

Mitchell sent B L Class Act to the lead from the two-hole and they got away with a soft :31 quarter with Body Of Work tight on his back.

“We left fast and my old guy took the turn easily and we had command at the quarter in a soft 31 seconds,” Mitchell recalled. “When we were heading to the half Dean Beachy challenged with Celebrity Lambo and we raced head-to-head past the three-quarters and all the way through the final turn. In the stretch I kept driving my horse and although we were momentarily headed he was still strong enough to rebuff the late challenge from Body Of Work (Alesha Binkley). And after the race my horse wasn’t even breathing hard. Actually I was breathing harder than him!”

Dean “What Am I Bid” Beachy, back in the Billings Series after hiatus, faded and finished third with Celebrity Lambo.

B L Class Act, an 11-year-old altered son of Classic Photo, is owned and trained by Mitchell. Since purchasing him as a 4-year-old the classy veteran has won almost $300,000 for the longtime amateur reinsman. Sent off at odds of more than 6-1, B L Class Act paid $13.40. And for Mike Mitchell it was his 39th career driving victory.