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

Monticello, NY — Terry “the Dairy Queen” Donnelly missed action in the Billings Series last year due to hip replacement surgery but this season she’s back in action and ready to resume driving in amateur events.

Last week at Monticello Raceway, Donnelly won her division of the Catskill Amateur Drivers Club Series and on Wednesday (May 18) she awaits her beloved C.K.G. Billings Harness Driving Series where she’ll drive her own Jay A Novak in the second of the two divisions presented that day. Though rated at 8-1 from the five hole in the seven-horse field, Donnelly remains optimistic.

“Most of the races I have won have been with longshots so being an outsider doesn’t bother me,” she said. “My horse hasn’t raced much this year but if he comes back to his usual form I think we’ll be competitive.”

Donnelly’s main competition is expected from Alan “The Intimidator” Schwartz who’ll handle favored Iroquouindianmagic from the pole position and from Gerry “the Catskill Cat” Fielding with second rated Beach Vacation from the three hole.

The other division will have Dave “Steady As” Yarock’s Biggerthebetter as the early line favorite from the pylon position though “Roundhouse Rob” Krivelin may contest the odds-maker’s opinion when he leaves from the four-hole with Flourescent. Both trotters have been recent winners with their programmed tail-setters at the reins.

Donnelly may have received some solace when she jumps up behind favored Stormy Weather in the Catskill Amateur Drivers Club Series and leaves from the two hole. In that contest she’ll be the one to beat.