Yonkers, NY — The C.K.G. Billings Amateur Driving Series made a stop at Yonkers Raceway on Thursday night (Oct. 10), and two youthful newcomers emerged victorious in their respective splits.
“Terrific Tyler” Miller scored an impressive 1:56.4 triumph with Inukchuk Chuck, while Melissa “Missey” Arbia reined Finnick Odair home first in 2:01.3 for her maiden victory.
With short fields, usually the most advantageous position is to be on the front end. Miller knew that, so he fired Inukchuk Chuck to the lead from post five. Although it took a :27.4 quarter for them to get there, Inukchuk Chuck knew just what to do once on top, as the veteran gelding recently had strung together four previous victories.
Miller’s charge led his company by the half in :58.4, and from there the only thing in doubt was the margin of victory, which turned out to be 2-1/2 lengths over “Joltin’ Joe” Pennacchio’s Super Manning. Dave “the Rave” Offenberg took home the show dough with Fiji.
Arbia obviously felt she had the best horse in the race in the other division, so she sent Finnick Odair to the lead from post five, and they got there in a relatively soft :29.4. While marching to the half, Mike “the Tyke” Polansky went first-up with Noble Warrawee. and they got alongside Finnick Odair at the three-quarters. In the lane, Polansky’s trotter tired and faded, which allowed room for Annie “Get Your Gun” Stoebe to rally March Madness home for second money, making it yet another time where the ladies finished first and second in a Billings trot. Third place went to Muzzy’s Muscles, in rein to Billings president, Tony “the Capo” Verruso.