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

Monticello, NY — Offenberg, Schwartz and Yarock sounds like it could be a law firm but in fact they are the names of the winning drivers in the C.K.G. Billings Amateur Driving Series held at the Historic Track in Goshen on Saturday (July 6).

Dave “Yes It’s True” Offenberg won the first event with his own Whatnblazes in a time of 2:01.1; Alan “the Intimidator” Schwartz copped the second behind My Man Ben in 2:02; and Dave “Steady As” Yarock charged home a winner in the third split with Nowerland Nathan in 2:02.2.

Offenberg’s winner came from a patient trip sitting behind a speed duel between Bob “The Headhunter” Hechkoff with Tremendous Hit and Gerry “The Catskill Cat” Fielding and Valcyon Days.

With Tremendous Hit on the pylons and Valcyon Days on the limb the two raced side by side until the third stanza as Offenberg sat cool. At that point Tremendous Hit faded and Offenberg wheeled his trotter three-deep and raced Valcyon Days to the finish and was two lengths ahead of him at the wire. Four Starz F, driven by Don “It’s Time to Draw” Hoover, got locked in behind a tiring Tremendous Hit and shook loose late to finish third.

It was the fourth seasonal triumph for the business executive and the 41st of his amateur career.

Schwartz’s win was less dramatic. After starting from the four hole “the Intimidator” rushed My Man Ben to the lead on the first turn and led the field by the quarter in a soft :31.4 and to the half in an even softer 1:03.2. From there Schwartz put the pedal to the metal and his trotter rambled the next quarter in :29.2 and finished the final two furlongs in :29.1 en route to a three length victory over Conway Cruiser and driver Peter “The Past President” Gerry. Robert “Bullet Bob” Davis took home the show dough with Dancin Thea.

For Schwartz, who drives primarily against professionals at Monticello Raceway, it was his 18th seasonal win and the 520th of his amateur career. My Man Ben is owned by Sam Sbarra.

The final split saw “Smokin’ Joe” Faraldo take command on the first turn with Rodeo Red and lead the pack through the final turn before yielding. Nowerland Nathan and Dave Yarock, who were in high gear when they went around Rodeo Red, scored a two length triumph over Faraldo’s trotter. Third place went to Scott “Not For Any” Price with Benns Sure Thing.

Yarock, a financial planner by trade, now has 40 career amateur driving victories and the win was his second of the season.

Also on the card that hot and steamy afternoon were two divisions in the Catskill Amateur Drivers Club Pacing Series.

In the first split, Alan Charles scored a neck victory with Arid N and held off a fast closing BB Smash, in rein to Matt Zuccarello, in a time of 1:59.4.

In the second division Monica Banca, with Distinct Color, sat chilly behind pace-setter Bambina’s Sorel and driver Dave Yarock until the two pacers headed for paydirt and then Banca charged to the front and was a one length winner in a very creditable 1:58 clocking.

Next up in Billings action will be an event on Monday (July 8) at Hazel Park Raceway, followed by an event at Monticello Raceway on Wednesday (July 10).