Billings travels to Prince Edward Island

September 11, 2007

Eight Billings Series road warriors took harness racing's greatest traveling sideshow to Canada on Saturday and Sunday, competing at Charlottetown Driving Park and Summerside Harness Raceway.

On Saturday, the amateur drivers received a cordial Canadian welcome and competed in two pacing events at the Charlottetown Driving Park. In the first event, it was the Eastern Division drivers taking down the top three spots. Todd "The Downeaster" Whitney, driving 10 year-old Crestwave Gaze, proved much the best as he led every step of the mile to win by 6 1/4 lengths in 1:59.2. Scott "The Driving Doctor" Woogen rallied from off the pace to finish second as the chauffer of Smile By the Mile and Peter "The President Gerry" was an evenly rated third throughout the mile handling Matthews Deal.

In the second Billings event on the card, Woogen proved to be just what the doctor ordered as the driver of Title Page Hanover. Woogen got away third, assumed command at the half and drew away to win by 5 1/4 lengths in a final time of 1:59.4. Noble Luck starting from post position eight for Steve "You�re Never Too" Oldford raced a big heat to finish in the runner-up spot while David "Linemaster" Ehrenberg II finished third driving Bradelle.

The hosts at Charlottetown welcomed their guests to a winner�s circle presentation and photo op after the evening's eighth race and handed out special gifts to all participants.

On Sunday afternoon, the action shifted to Summerside Harness Raceway and once again a beautiful day on the island was enjoyed by both fans and participants. In the first Billings leg, once again Whitney showed he�s got the hot hand right now as he guided Sir Springhouse to a 1 1/4-length victory in one of the Billings most competitive events featuring a very fast, furious and exciting finishes. At the end of the 2:04 mile, the first six horses were separated by only 2 3/4 lengths. Woogen, driving Justins Cam, barely held onto second outlasting a hard-charging Wind Monster guided between horses by Ehrenberg, who was just ahead of fourth-place finisher Dunk River Dixie being guided by Dale �The Big Boss� Zahn, who just beat Gerry who was handling Women of Steel. Gerry edged out the sixth-place finisher in the blanket finish, Oldford, driving Crafty Ann.

Rounding out the field were Island Maverick in rein to �Tar Heel� Tom Williams and Rockinthefreeworld, driven by Mike �The Mortgage Man� Mitchell. For Mitchell, the weekend driving in Canada marked his return to the Billings Racing Battles.

In the second Billings split of the afternoon, once again history was repeating itself as Whitney raced up a storm to win by 6 1/2 lengths using a furious stretch rush to stop the timer in 2:01.4 behind the pacer William Frank. Oldford, a winner of three races a year ago on the Canadian junket, continued with a case of seconditis as he guided Bando Gigi to a runner-up finish. Woogen was third driving Lets Talk Joe.

Summerside offered up courtesies to their guests akin to the Charlottetown winner's circle presentation as all gathered and were introduced and presented with some very nice gifts. The Billings Series drivers thanked their gracious hosts at both tracks and fully appreciated the hospitality. Make no mistake, these traveling good-will ambassadors of harness racing are anxious to return to the Gentle Island next year. (Billings)

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