by John Manzi, for the Delvin Miller Amateur Drivers Association

Monticello, NY — The ever-traveling C.K.G. Billings Harness Driving Championship moved on to the Summit Fair at Northfield Park on Saturday (July 30) where an eight-horse trot was slated for the fifth race on the betting card there.

In spite of a favored two-horse entry by trainer Crist Hershberger, “Tiny Tim” Miller, driving Quantum King Leo, remained undaunted and sent his charge to the lead as the wings of the gate folded and proceeded to use the front-end route to score a 2:00 triumph, his first of the season in Billings competition.

However, Miller’s victory had to withstand an early move by Bob “the Lumberman” Troyer with Ilooklikerudy — one of the entrymates — but Quantum King Leo was up to the challenge and trotted away enough to open a hole for Troyer to fall back in.

But the move getting in behind the leader didn’t pay dividends as Ilooklikerudy could never again catch Quantum King Leo and finished a length behind in second place. Third place went to the other part of the Hershberger-trained entry, Spit Happens, who was driven by “Chicago George” Bonomo.

For Miller, a construction magnate out of Sugarcreek, Ohio, it was only his second start in Billings competition this year but he earlier had driven a winner at Northfield Park in an overnight trot.

Next up for the Billings members are two events at the Meadowlands on Thursday night (August 4) which are billed as the Hambletonian Amateur Trots. Billings members comprise most of the participants, but only those racing with trotters that meet the Billings rules and regulations will be eligible for points in the seven-month series.