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

Monticello, NY — Three C.K.G. Billings Harness Driving Championship Series divisions are on tap at Monticello Raceway on Sunday (June 12). They will be part of a 13-race card which will see, for the first time in the United States, all races on the program driven by amateur drivers.

The Billings splits will go as races one, five and six.

Top amateurs from all over the country are convening at the Mighty M on Sunday for the competitions. Although the Billings Series drivers have their own standards the amateurs who will compete in the other nine races on the card will each have either a full or provisional license from the U.S. Trotting Association.

“Roundhouse Rob” Krivelin, who is the point leader in the Midwest Region, will handle the early line favorite Mr Troy in the first Billings division and they’ll start from the four hole.

The second Billings split is arguably the best of the three series trots. Early line favorite Biggerthebetter, who’ll leave from post position three, won his last start at Saratoga in Billings action and will once again be driven by Dave “Steady As” Yarock, the current point leader in the Eastern Region.

Their mission will not be an easy one as they have some stiff competition with the likes of Winterleebrook (“Schoolboy Joe” Bongiorno), Iroquouindainmagic (Alan “the Intimidator” Schwartz) and REL Postage Due (Simeon “Hot Rod” Hunsdon).

In the final Billings division “Smokin’ Joe” Faraldo has the early favorite in Sophisticat, who was the winningest trotter in North America last year with 18 triumphs. This year is certainly not a repeat of last season for the veteran trotting mare but she still sports a 2:00.1 triumph right here earlier this year. They are set to leave from post position six.

Besides the 13 races there will be entertainment from an Elvis impersonator, food available on the track’s apron and 18 children of horsemen will be recipients of scholarship monies raised by the Edward Weiner and Edward Yarock Equine Scholarship Fund and by the Donald Meyer Equine Scholarship Fund.

Although post time is set for 12:50 p.m. anyone who comes out early — between 10 and 11:30 a.m. — will get a chance to ride around the racetrack in a double seated jog cart with a professional driver or trainer at the lines.