Hamilton, ON — The industry’s greatest traveling roadshow, the C.K.G. Billings series, moved north of the border on Sunday (Sept. 29) to Hamilton, Ontario for a pace at Flamboro Downs and when the judges posted the official sign Tony “the Capo” Verruso emerged victorious after he guided Cheyenne Moishe to a gate-to-wire 1:57.4 clocking over eight others.

Verruso, the president of the C.K.G. Billings Amateur Driving Series, was one of just two Americans who traveled to Canada for the Flamboro Downs event and used the front-end route to score his fourth seasonal triumph and 75th of his amateur career.

Cheyenne Moishe started from the pole position and when the starter said “go” Verruso sent his charge to the front and the 10-year-old Western Ideal stallion was alone on the lead when he passed the first stanza in :28.2. Still comfortably in front by the halfway point in :59.1, Freddie “Frenchy” Bourgault sent the betting favorite, Danzig Moon, up to challenge for the lead as the two passed by the three-quarters in 1:28.1.

But as the two leaders paced around the final turn Danzig Moon went off-stride which left the decided 14-1 outsider, Simon Said and driver “Racin’ Jason” Sgrignuoli, with the only legitimate shot of catching Cheyenne Moishe. But that never materialized as Verruso’s pacer had enough in the tank to turn back the challenge and score a 1-3/4 length triumph. Third place went to Little Quick driven by Julie “Joe Joe” Walker.

The winner is owned by Peter Murtezai and trained by Terry Gallant. He paid $5.50 for win.

Monday night (Sept. 30) a final Canadian contest, a nine-horse trot, will take place at Woodbine Mohawk Park.