Two Billings events this wkd.

Action in the C.K.G Billings Amateur Trotting Series, often referred to as the “Grand Circuit of Amateur Racing”, continues this weekend with two eastern region divisions slated at Saratoga Raceway on Saturday, May 13 and two midwest region splits set for Sunday, May 14 at Hoosier Park.

At Saratoga the Billings events are carded as races three and four on the 13-race betting card.

Among the amateur drivers competing that evening include Steve “Cannonball” Markoff and Bob “the Headhunter” Hechkoff; each a Billings division winner at Monticello Raceway on May 8. The former was victorious with KW’s Champion while the latter scored with Thunder Shower.

On Saturday Markoff will handle Paradise Quickie and will start from post position eight in the third race while Hechkoff has drawn the same post position number with Thunder Shower in race four.

Also slated to drive that night is Lon “Deli Boy” Frocione, the recently named the U.S. representative to the World Cup of Amateur Racing which is slated to be contested in Rome, Italy during late July. Former World Cup competitors, Rob “Rapid Rail” Krivelin and “Smokin’ Joe” Faraldo also have mounts on the card.

Two splits are on tap at Hoosier Park in Anderson, Ind. the following day, Sunday, May 14, one of which will include “Wisconsin Dave” Carter’s veteran trotter, Crafty Sailor, who scored his 99th career victory when Carter guided him to the winners circle in a Billings contest at Jackson Raceway on May 5.

Carter is again slated to handle the lines behind Crafty Sailor who has drawn post position six in the first Hoosier Park split. However, Carter and Crafty Sailor can expect heated competition from “Trader Bud” Hatfield, who’ll handle TGTIF and leave from post position three, and from Gregg “the Terminator” Keidel, whose trotter, Scoremania, will start from post position four.

However, it’s always hard to count out Dein “the Jupiter Gem” Spriggs, last year’s Billings Champ and winner of the Billings contest at Pompano Park on April 28, who is slated to drive Ego Sum. Though winless in seven seasonal starts, Ego Sum will start from post position five and comes into the event off a 2:04:2 victory in a qualifying race at Jackson Raceway on May 3.

“Tar Heel Tom” Williams appears to be the one to beat when he handles Realli Hung Over in the second division. Already a winner of six races this year, Realli Hung Over has drawn post position four.

Both Billings divisions at Hoosier Park will go as non-wagering events and be presented before the betting card gets underway.

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