by John Manzi, for the Delvin Miller Amateur Drivers Association

Monticello, NY — For the better part of the Billings racing season Tony “the Capo” Verruso has been atop the leaderboard in the Eastern Region. But on Friday (Nov. 4) he stamped his name in the record books after reining his own Sam’s Honey to a 1:59.2 triumph in their 10-horse division at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs. Now, with 121 points, Verruso can claim his initial points championship although he has won the Gold Cup and other series finales in the past.

En route to copping the Billings trot at Pocono, Verruso, the president of the C.K.G. Billings Harness Driving Championship Series, turned back Dave “Yes It’s True” Offenberg and Double Strength by 1-1/4 lengths. Dein “the Jupiter Gem” Spriggs, up from southern Florida for the competition, finished third with Long Story Short.

The other spilt went to “Roundhouse Rob” Krivelin when he navigated Ace High Hall from the 10 hole to the head of the class where they charged by leaders Admirable Hanover and driver Peter “the Past President” Gerry and Man O Matic, who was handled by “Battlin’ Brad” Rathbone.

There is but one venue remaining in Billings 2011 and that will be at Yonkers Raceway on Monday (Nov. 14). However, for all intents and purposes, it’s all over but for the shouting as far as regional points champions are concerned.

The champ in the Midwest Region was never in doubt as Steve “You’re Never Too” Oldford, the vice-president of the Billings Series, led from the get-go and will finish with 126 points, some 57 more than runner-up “Joltin’ Joe’ Pennacchio’s 69 points.

After the Yonkers races will be the regional finals for the top point earners in each of the two regions. On Saturday (Nov. 19) the Midwest Regional Final will be contested at Northfield Park and the following day, Sunday (Nov. 20), the Eastern Regional Final will be raced at Harrah’s Chester.

From there it will be on to the Delvin Miller Memorial Gold, Silver and Bronze Cup Finals at the Meadows on Friday night (Dec. 2).