by John Manzi, for the Billings Series

Northfield, OH — Patience is a virtue that usually pays dividends. Just ask Steve “You’re Never Too” Oldford, who won the Midwest region Billings trot with Kaffir Kemp Sunday evening (Oct. 14) at Northfield Park.

“We left from the three-hole and settled down along the pylons and watched patiently as Gregg Keidel (with Nashville Holiday) got in an early speed duel with Tim Miller (Ona Dream) and after they slugged it out we came late and picked up all the pieces and went on to an easy victory.”

In that contest “Tiny Tim” Miller and Ona Dream scooted to the lead from post position two and then they had company in the presence of Nashville Holiday and Gregg “Fast Greggy” Keidel for the rest of the mile. The two raced side-by-side past the first stanza in :28 and were still like a team as they trotted by the halfway point in :57.1.

Oldford said there was a lot of talk between the drivers of the two leaders but he couldn’t make it out and just was happy that they kept a fast pace while he enjoyed cover all the way.

Ona Dream, on the inside, and Nashville Holiday, stalking him on the outside, were still one-two as they trotted by the three-quarters in 1:28. But Oldford was getting anxious to move. And that happened on the final turn when Steve pulled to go around the leaders and Kaffir Kemp scooted immediately to the front.

At the top of the lane Oldford had four lengths on his competition as Kaffir Kemp headed for pay-dirt. At the wire the extent of victory was six lengths as the timer flashed 1:58.1. While Ona Dream faded on the final turn amazingly Nashville Holiday hung tough despite an overland trip and finished second. Third place went to Buckeye Patty, driven by “Marvelous Marvin” Raber.

“The Billings will be back here at Northfield Park on the next two Sundays, and we have to thank director of racing, Dave Bianconi, for that,” Oldford said, and then added, “Dave is a great proponent of amateur racing.”

Kaffir Kemp, a veteran 9-year-old Angus Hall gelding, is owned by Oldford Racing and trained by Terry Deters. For Oldford, the vice president of the C.K.G. Billings Amateur Driving Series, it was his 141st lifetime victory. Currently with three consecutive driving victories Oldford is among the leaders for Amateur Driver of the Year honors. He sports a .314 UDR on the strength of 11 wins, eight seconds and 12 third place finishes in 62 trips to post.