by John Manzi, for the Billings Series

Monticello, NY — There was action in the C.K.G. Billings Harness Driving Series in both the East and Midwest regions this past weekend and not surprisingly “Hot Handed Hannah” Miller got her picture taken in the winner’s circle once again.

She has hit the amateur driving ranks like a hurricane and Saturday afternoon (May 2) “Hot Handed Hannah” blew the boys away again when she guided Pembroke Snapshot to a gate-to-wire victory in a time of 2:00.4 in her East region division of the two Billings trots that were carded at Freehold Raceway.

After she turned down a challenge by Sam’s Honeybee and driver Tony “the Capo” Verruso at the halfway point, Miller kept after her charge and he responded, trotting away from Sam’s Honeybee to score a two length triumph. Mark “Shoprite” Schullstrom garnered the show dough with 43-1 shot Catalyst.

The winner, a veteran 10-year-old altered son of S J’s Photo, trained by Nick Surick, is co-owned by the Nick Surick Stable and the JL Benson Stables. Pembroke Snapshot was Miller’s fourth winner in her last six starts and her ninth in 25 seasonal outings. Sent off as the odds-on favorite, the trotter paid $2.80 for win.

A second Billings trot saw Scott “the Driving Doctor” Woogen rally Sleek N Beautiful to a come-from-behind victory in 2:00.2 after finally wearing down the pacesetter Blazin Delores, who was in rein to “Jimmy Boy“ Marshall IV. Despite a two-hole journey, Swift Blizzard and “Coach Paul” Minore finished two lengths behind the winner in third place.

Doc Woogen also owns the 7-year-old CJ’s Secret mare who is trained by Gary Messenger. She paid $15.60 for win. For the driving doctor it marked his 138th career victory.

The first Billings trot in Midwest region competition at Miami Valley Raceway was on Sunday (May 3) and when the dust had settled former USHWA Amateur Driver of the Year, Kelly “Sky” Walker, rallied his veteran trotter Rush N Supreme to a come-from-behind victory in a time of 1:56.4. They stalked and finally wore down Jailer and driver Richard “Don’t Call Me Dickie” Bertrand to score a one length triumph. Third place went to the early pacesetter Y F Crasher, driven by Dave “Linemaster” Ehrenberg II.

Walker’s journey with Rush N Supreme was made a bit easier when Steve “You’re Never Too” Oldford’s 3-2 shot, Bold Strike, went off stride after the start. They did, however, finish fourth after trailing by 15 lengths at the first stanza.

Walker also owns and trains the 11-year-old SJ’s Caviar gelding, who recorded his 45th win. Rush N Supreme paid $4.40 for win. And since Walker began driving in 2004, he notched his 101st victory.