by John Manzi, for the C.K.G. Billings Series

Monticello, NY — Eight of the top amateurs in the C.K.G. Billings Harness Driving Championship Series will convene in Columbus, Ohio to compete in a trotting contest at Scioto Downs on Friday, September 2.

The competitors almost read like a who’s who in the Midwest Region of the seven month series. Included are two former National Amateur Drivers of the Year, “Trader Bud” Hatfield and “Tar Heel Tom” Williams. Joining them is Steve “You’re Never Too” Oldford who won both the Midwest and Combined Points titles last year and is on his way to a repeat in both categories again this season.

The field will also feature the father-daughter duo of “Chicago George” Bonomo and “Michelle the Belle” Ruvola; Bob “the Lumberman” Troyer, Dave “Linemaster Ehrenberg and Bon “Chappy” Chapman.

A solid field of trotters has been lined- up by race secretary Stacy Cahill and the event appears to be as competitive as any presented in the Billings Series this season.

The eight-horse field will go to post in race two on the nine-race betting card over the fast five-eighths mile oval.

As the Billings Series moves into the final phases of the 30th anniversary season the competitors, in both the Midwest and Eastern Regions, are jockeying for berths in the regional finals coming up in late November.

As aforementioned, Steve Oldford, with 73 points, is well ahead of runner-up “Joltin Joe” Pennacchio who has 43 points. Third on the Midwest Region leaderboard is “Roundhouse Rob” Krivelin with 40; followed by Dave Ehrenberg, (36); Mike “the Mortgage Man” Mitchell,(35); Hal “Smiley Edwards,( 31); and “Tiny Tim” Miller, (24). Rounding out the top ten in this region are Bud Hatfield,(24); Kelly “Sky” Walker (19); and Lawbook Larry” Farley with 16 points.

The quest for the point championship in the Eastern Region is much tighter that in the Midwest. Tony “the Capo” Verruso has clawed his way to the lead now with 80 points, some two better than runner-up Simeon “Hot Rod” Hunsdon’s 78. Dave “Steady As” Yarock with 70 points is in third place followed by Lightning Laura” MacNamara (62)), Dave “Yes It’s True” Offenberg (56); “Tough Tony” Ciuffettelli (53) and Alan “The Intimidator” Schwartz (49); “Schoolboy Joe” Bongiorno (43); Harvey “Doc” Stein (41) and George “the Brooklyn Cowboy” Casale (40) round out the top ten in the Eastern Region.