by John Manzi, for Billings Series

Delaware, OH — Harness racing’s greatest traveling roadshow, the C.K.G. Billings Amateur Driving Series, moved on to the hallowed grounds of the Little Brown Jug in Delaware, Ohio, on Sunday (Sept. 16) for a pair of trots in the Billings Series along with a pacing event for club members of various Billings organizations in the Fouts Memorial.

When the lengthy card was completed Richard “the Wolverine” Roach and Joey “the Kid” Putnam won their respective Billings divisions while Steve “You’re Never Too” Oldford copped the Fouts Memorial.

In his event “the Wolverine”, up behind I’ll Tell You What, was content to follow the pacesetter Ki Ki Canolli, driven by Todd “the Downeaster” Whitney, through nearly even fractions to the three-quarters and then rallied his veteran 13-year-old Lockeeper gelding to a two length triumph in a time of 1:59.2. Mike “the Mortgage Man” Mitchell was second under the wire with Bosston Tahoe while Ki Ki Canolli faded and finished third. The winner, owned by Janet Mathely and trained by Deb Clayton, paid $11.20.

Joey Putnam and Sebiskit Bluegrass dominated their division as “The Kid” sent the Big Stick Lindy gelding to the lead from the four hole and they were comfortable until “Coach Paul” Minore moved Hititoutofthepark off the pylons as the field approached the three-quarters. From there both trotters battled head-to-head all the way to the wire, with each exchanging leads at various intervals, but at the finish Putnam’s Sebiskit Bluegrass was a neck winner. Third place went to Body Of Work in rein to Alesha “the Hoosier Hotshot” Binkley. The race winner is owned by Dr. Luel Overstreet and trained by Joey’s dad, Joe Putnam. He paid $6.40.

In the Fouts Memorial seasoned veteran Steve Oldford impressively hustled the Art Major 4-year-old Arch Hanover to a head victory over H-and-N Dho Hailey, driven by Billings newcomer, Mariah “ Nearly Always” Wright, in 1:57. Alesha Binkley took home the show dough with Badger Quinn. The winner, owned by Marissa Russo and trained by her husband, David, returned a $21.60 win payoff.