by John Manzi, for the Billings Series

Monticello, NY — The 32nd season of amateur racing in the C.K.G. Billings Series got underway at Monticello Raceway on Wednesday afternoon (June 5) with two trotting splits going to post.

The first division was won by former amateur driver of the year Alan “the Intimidator” Schwarz, while the second split went to Billings president Tony “the Capo” Verruso.

Schwartz scored behind his own Iroquouindianmagic in a time of 2:01.1, while Verruso and his trotting mare Sam’s Honeybee won in 2:02.3.

Geri Schwarz photo

Iroquouindianmagic nailed Tremendous Hit by a head in a 2:01.1 clocking.

After getting away slowly in their split, Schwartz and Iroquouindianmagic were still in sixth place at the halfway point and with a come from behind rush they nailed the pacesetter, Tremendous Hit, driven by Bob “The Headhunter” Hechkoff, by a head in a 2:01.1 clocking. Third place went to the recently completed NAADA Trotting Series winner Whatnblazes, driven by Dave “Yes It’s True” Offenberg, while Winterleebrook was fourth for “Coach Paul” Minore.

“I always have to nurse him (Iroquouindianmagic) away from the (starting) gate and around the first turn which often puts us at a disadvantage because we always have to come from behind,” Schwartz said after his winning drive. “But thankfully he finishes strong and today was no exception.”

Sixth at the halfway point and out and moving, Iroquouindianmagic began picking up horses as the field headed to the third stanza.

“We were third at that point and still some three lengths behind the leaders but when we turned for home, as he always does, “Magic” gives a strong finishing kick and today it took us to victory again.

“You know, he won two of his last three (races) the same way as he did today.”

As second choice in the eight-horse field, Iroquouindianmagic scored his fourth seasonal triumph. He paid $7.00 for win.

The second Billings division nearly aped the first one when Sam’s Honeybee and “the Capo” sat near the back of the pack for the first three-quarters and then rallied from five lengths off at the top of the lane to score a head victory over Harvey “Doc” Stein and Make it Hot in a time of 2:02.3. Tony Ciuffetelli hustled Drill Sergeant three-deep on the final turn to finish third, a length ahead of “Bullet Bob” Davis with Dancin Thea.

“We were charging at the end and I think we caught Doc (on the lead with Make It Hot) in the final strides,” Verruso said. “She raced real well last week at Yonkers when she closed strongly to finish a close third in 2:00, but today ‘Sam’ was able to handle this field. She’s a nice mare and always stays at her business. She’s just a pleasure to drive.”

Sent off as the second choice in the wagering despite having to start from the seven hole, Sam’s Honeybee scored her third seasonal victory and paid $8.70 for win.

Next up in Billings action is a 10-horse trot carded as the first race at Scioto Downs on Friday (June 7).

Also on the card was the second preliminary in the Catskill Amateur Club’s Pacing Series and for the second consecutive week Monica Banca and Thunder Seelster made a laugher of the contest when she and her pacer ran away to an oh-so-easy 11 length triumph over Yellow Brick Road and driver Frank Macedonio in a 1:57.4 clocking.