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

Greenville, OH — After being out of action for a while Steve “You’re Never Too” Oldford stormed back at the Darke County Fair in Greenville, Ohio, and guided Celtic Merchant to a near track record victory in Midwest Billings action on Thursday (Aug. 25) evening.

After starting from the pole position Oldford went down the road and made every pole a winning one en route to a 1:59.4 triumph.

“It was good to be back in the sulky and even better being in the winners circle,” Oldford said via telephone after his driving victory. “I know Celtic Merchant went a good race but I was surprised when they told me that my old warhorse was just a couple of ticks off the track record.”

According to Oldford, trainer Terry Deters had Celtic Merchant in top form and he got over the track real easy. They trotted through fractions of :30.2; 1:00; and 1:30 before finishing six lengths ahead of runner-up Patient I D driven by “Lawbook Larry” Farley. Third place went to Rompaway Beau and Gregg “Fast Greggy” Kiedel.

“Greenville is a very nice fair and everyone there went out of their way to accommodate us,” Oldford added. “Our race was sponsored by Donuts For Charity and everyone received donuts after the race.”

Celtic Merchant, a 13-year-old Angus Hall gelding, notched his fifth seasonal triumph and 47th of his outstanding career while raising his lifetime earnings to over $367,000. Oldford, vice president of the CKG Billings Series and the Harness Racing Museum’s multiple recipient of their Amateur Driver of the Year Award, scored his sixth seasonal driving victory and the 116th of his amateur career.