by John Manzi, for the Delvin Miller Amateur Drivers Association

Monticello, NY — The Billings battlers have been in New England this weekend, racing at Bangor Raceway on Friday and Scarborough Downs on Sunday. The trip wraps up on Monday at Plainridge Racecourse.

On Friday, “Sir Philip” Bo Sowers won the Bangor contest and Sunday at Scarborough Downs, Sowers again soured the day for his competitors in a Billings trot when he guided Paradise Magoo to a gate-to-wire victory in a time of 2:01.1. Also that afternoon Billings Series vice president Steve “You’re Never Too” Oldford got off the Billings schneid with a hard fought victory with 16-1 shot Black Chip Winner in a 2:04.1 clocking.

On the other hand, Sowers made his triumph with Paradise Magoo look easy. After gaining command from the pole position Sowers took the field by the quarter in :29.1 and he and his trotter passed the half in :59.2 with all the others in single file behind the leader.

At the third stanza Paradise Magoo had two lengths on the competition and from there only the margin of victory was in doubt. At the wire Paradise Magoo and “Sir Philip” were two lengths to the good over runner-up Ove Ove, driven by the Billings Series president Tony “the Capo” Verruso. Third place went to Iroquoindianbrave with Steve Oldford aboard.

Oldford’s third place finish came on the heels of his initial 2012 Billings Series triumph with Black Chip Winner.

In the other contest, Oldford’s trotter was disregarded by the betting public and had to overcome interference early in the mile and because of that they were 10 lengths behind the leader, Emery Ho, as his driver Tony Verruso got the field by the halfway point in :59.1.

With Verruso’s charge still in command at the third stanza in 1:31.3, Oldford ‘s chances looked slim and they were still a solid two lengths behind the leader in third position.

In the lane the quick early fractions took a toll on the leader and Emery Ho began to fade. BWT Everytime, in rein to Robert “Blue N” Gray, scooted to the lead midway through the lane but Oldford kept urging his trotter and Black Chip Winner steadily moved forward and at the wire a photo was needed to determine the winner.

After a short recess the judges posted Black Chip Winner as the victor which gave Oldford his first Billings victory of the year. BWT Everytime was nose behind the winner in the picture and had to settle for second money. Philip Bo Sowers got Here Comes Monte up for the show dough.

On Monday the Billings Series moves down to Plainville, Mass., for a seven-horse contest at Plainridge Racecourse.