Memorial Day Billings action

Action in the C.K. G. Billing Amateur Driving Series took place over the Memorial Day weekend at Rockingham Park in Salem, N.H. in the eastern region and at Scioto Downs in Columbus, Ohio in the Midwest division.

At The Rock on May 29, business executive Dave “Yes It’s True” Offenberg reined his first winner of the Billings 25th anniversary season when he guided Mr. Constant to a romping six-length victory over Christopherearl and driver Todd “ the Downeaster” Whitney, in a time of 1:58:4. Third place went to Wolf’s Moses, who was handled by Charlie “Never on the Sabbath” Steinberg.

After he got away fourth in the early going, Offenberg moved Mr. Constant to the outside and was in front at the half-mile marker in :57:1. From there only the margin of victory was in doubt as Offenberg and Mr. Constant opened up daylight between themselves and the rest of the field. They were 10 lengths in front at the three quarters and cruised home an easy winner.

For the Allister Stable’s Mr. Constant, it marked his first victory in two years and for Offenberg, it was his 20th of his amateur driving career.

Last Friday, May 26 at Scioto Downs in Columbus, Ohio, “William the Conqueror” Bercury and Dein “the Jupiter Gem” Sprigg’s each walked away with trophies after they guided their trotters to victory there.

Bercury, a sales executive from Slippery Rock, Pa., reined his own Cello Hanover to a gate-to-wire victory in a time of 1:59. They turned back No Mon No Fun with Mike “the Vet” Caston aboard, and TGIF, driven by former Billings champion “Trader Bud” Hatfield.

For Bercury it was his 121st career driving victory.

The other division at Scioto Downs went to Spriggs, a real estate magnate from Jupiter Fla. when he reined his own, Ego Sum, to a three-length triumph in a time of 1:59:4. Gregg’ the Terminator” Keidel, who shadowed Ego Sum the entire mile with Cinderella’s Arn, found that his trotter didn’t have enough to rival the winner in the stretch and had to settle for second place, three lengths back. Third place went to the old warhorse and 104-race winner, Bingham, who was handled by Scioto Downs president and general manager, “Steady Eddie” Ryan.

For Spriggs it was his 11th driving victory of the season and fourth in the Billings this year. Spriggs now has 294 career wins.

Next Billings action will take place on Sunday, June 4 at Harrington Raceway in eastern region competition, and at Hazel Park Raceway in Hazel Park, Michigan on Monday, June 5 in the midwestern region.

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