The Grand Circuit of Amateur Racing, the C.K.G. Billings Trotting Series, moves on to Canada for a race at Georgian Downs on Saturday, May 30; a race at Flamboro Downs on Sunday, May 31 and two splits at Mohawk Racetrack on Monday, June 1
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It will mark the first of three Canadian journeys that the Billings members will make this season.
Drivers for the trip were assembled by Tony “the Capo” Verruso and many of the same amateurs will compete at the three north of the border venues.
Among those driving in the nine-horse field on Saturday at Georgian Downs, in Innisfil, Ont., will be last years Billings champ Steve “You’re Never Too” Oldford, and last seasons National Amateur Driver of the Year, “Tar Heel Tom” Williams.
Then on Sunday the amateurs travel to Hamilton, Ont. to compete in a trot over the half-mile oval, which is the home of the Confederation Cup. At that venue Kelly “Sky” Walker, “Dynamite Dave” Drew and Larry “Your Serve” Steenbergen make their Billings seasonal debuts.
The Canadian excursion concludes at the mighty Mohawk Racetrack in Campbellville on Monday where two divisions will go as the early daily double on the betting card.
Set for the American invaders is homeboy Joe “Bearcat” Stutzman, who’s among the finest horsemen in North America. One of Stutzman’s most prized pupils was Ball And Chain who, in 1995, became the first standardbred to ever break the 1:50 barrier in Canada when the pacer he won the Canadian Pacing Derby in 1:49:4
In 2007 Stutzman joined the Billings Series and though he has only competed in Canada he won twice in six drives last year, including a triumph at the Mohawk Racetrack.
Among those who’ll be looking to reverse Stutzman’s fortune include Oldford and Williams along with Tony “The Capo” Verruso, “Howie the Horse” Gelfand; George “the Brooklyn Cowboy” Casale, Dave “Yes It’s True” Offenberg, Dale “the Big Boss” Zahn; "Dynamite Dave” Drew, Dave “Linemaster” Ehrenberg II, Vladimir “Butch” Melnichenko, Mike “the Mortgage Man” Mitchell and Billings newcomer, Sherwin “Smiley” Edwards.
When the Billings Series returns to the U.S. the next offering will be at Freehold Raceway on June 5.
(Monticello Raceway)