by Dale P. Zahn, for the Ottawa County Fair

Holland, MI — The C.K.G. Billings Series made a stop in Holland, Michigan on Tuesday (July 24) and raced in front of a full grandstand of enthusiastic, cheering harness racing fans at the Ottawa County Fair.

In the opening event, “Tar Heel” Tom Williams scored a front running victory behind the rugged 6-year-old mare Callico Cat, a virtual repeat performance of last Sunday’s race in Tiffin, Ohio. Williams is making a determined bid to close in on the Midwest point lead, but still trails the cagey “Congenial Gene” Miller by a double-digit point margin.

The race, timed in a swift 2:03, featured a final quarter of :29.4 and that was needed to hold off a stiff challenge by Dale “The Big Boss” Zahn, who was handling Rompaway Ulaine in front of his loud cheering hometown crowd. Zahn pressured Williams much of the way, and was just a length back at the three-quarters. At the wire, the ‘Cat’ was three lengths on top. Finishing third was “Congenial Gene” behind the legendary 12-year-old war horse Bingham, who is slowing rounding back into form.

It is noteworthy that two years ago at this same venue, Williams teamed up with Callico Cat to win on a rainy night in Holland. This year’s race was contested on a beautiful evening for racing near the shores of Lake Michigan.

The Midwest point battle is taking serious shape at this stage of the season and the leaders are beginning to distance themselves from their challengers. Steve “You’re Never Too” Oldford finished fourth in Tuesday’s race while driving Pure Electricity, and it’s Miller, Williams, Zahn and Oldford that are the current top four in the standings.

In the second Billings split, it was indeed an upset of sorts that saw Kelly “Sky” Walker go wire-to-wire behind Gale Warning D as they teamed up to give Walker his first Billings Series win of the year.

In a mile timed in 2:06, they were three lengths the best at the finish line ahead of “Wisconsin Dave” Carter, who came to Holland to drive his 14-year-old gelding, a career winner of over 100 races, Crafty Sailor.

Carter and ‘Sailor’ saved ground early, while starting from the rail, and came from seven lengths off the pace at the three-quarter pole to finish a clear cut second.

Once in command, Walker held his horse together well and never looked back, though challenged at the half by Stephanie “Queen Steph” Peden, who was trying to duplicate her first Billings win that came two weeks ago in Charlotte, Michigan, behind Paragon Dapper Dan. They could not clear Gale Warning D, who was racing up a storm on the front end, and faded to finish a distant fourth.

“Dynamite Dave” Drew, who traveled to Holland from across the border in Canada, drove the grey Lightning Flash for owner Terri Harp to an evenly raced third place finish.

Rounding out the field was Pat “The Write Stuff” Miller with Trotting Houdini and Billings Series “President” Peter Gerry, who flew in to Michigan to drive Mighty Adam.

Next stop for the Billings campaigners is in Ohio on Saturday, July 28. Afternoon races are set for Washington Court House and the guys and gals of harness racing’s greatest traveling road show will be front and center on Saturday night at the home of the flying turns, Northfield Park, just outside of Cleveland.

As a sidenote, hometowner Zahn raced his frequently seen Billings horse Lookoutforleesa in a Michigan amateur race and they finished third after starting in the second tier. The Gene Miller-trainees (horse AND driver) were 16 lengths back at the three-quarters and they closed like a train in :28.3 to miss winning it all by three lengths, only one length out of second place.