By John Manzi
MONTICELLO — July 30, 2004 – Four eastern region divisions of the C.K.G. Billings Amateur Driving Series will highlight the 13-race card tomorrow at Monticello Raceway. They will go as races four, five, eight and 11.
The first split pits Arnies Bud Lite against Inquire Within, two trotters that have victorious multiple times in Billings action this year. Jimmy “The Mighty Mite” McGowan will drive the former from post position four, while Simeon “Hot Rod” Hunsdon will guide Inquire Within and start from post two.
Action Traction, a winner on July 22 at the Afton Fair for Ryan “I’m Learning My Lessons” Macedonio, will be the one to beat in the second division when Macedonio again takes the lines behind the veteran trotter who is set to race out of post position two. Peter “the President” Gerry has the mount behind CSI Dan The Man, who’ll start from post position four, and “Spellbound Bill” Mulligan, with Exmore Hanover out of post position five, have the best chance to upset the favorite.
Race eight will arguably be the toughest division with the likes of world class amateurs “Smokin’ Joe” Faraldo, Rob “Rapid Rail” Krivelin and Alan “The Intimidator” Schwartz going head to head. Faraldo will handle Image Quest from post five and Krivelin will have Unitas out of post position six, while Schwartz and Iroquoindiangiver will race away from post seven.
The final split features a well-balanced class of trotters where racing luck will probably determine the winner. In the hunt will be Irv “Your In Good Hands” Atherton with Tori’s Angel from post position two, George “the Brooklyn Cowboy” Casale up behind Chad Man from post position five, and “Ironman” Walter Blacharski and Snazzy Q, who will race out of the seven-hole.
Post time for tomorrow’s first race is 1:10 p.m.