by john manzi for NAADA
The
North American Amateur Drivers Association’s winter trotting series got
underway at Freehold Raceway on Saturday, January 16 and the very familiar
names of Bobby Krivelin and Bob Hechkoff each emerged victorious in their
respective divisions. “Kriv” won with the Hero’s Stable’s Permanent Joy in a
time of 1:59.1 while Hechkoff’s victory
came behind AJ Destiny who toured the Freehold, NJ half mile oval in 2:01.2.
Permanent
Joy, an 8-year-old altered son of Trot For Joy and a winner of $33,172 last
season, went a gutsy trip for Krivelin. After starting from post three they
sped to the lead and rebuffed Alternat Thursdays and driver Bob Hechkoff in a
28.3 first quarter only to get a short breather until Dave Offenberg and
Bluebird Kidsqueen took up the challenge as the 8-horse field headed to the halfway point.
With
Permanent Joy on the inside and Bluebird Kidsqueen on the outside the two
trotters sparred neck and neck by the third stanza which continued even in the
deep stretch. However Permanent Joy was up to the task and kept Bluebird
Kidsqueen at bay for a head triumph in 1:59.1. Wygant Prince and driver Paul
Minore, following the leaders throughout, rambled home for the show dough two
lengths behind the winner.
Permanent
Joy, also is trained by Krivelin. He returned a $6.60 mutuel to his backers
that afternoon.
A
second split saw 1-5 favorite, A J Destiny jiggy-jog to a 2-1/4 length triumph
over James Hathaway’s Bubba’s Jer Bear. After a break at the start,
Starsaboveallerage rallied and finished third for Bob Davis in the 2:01.2
clocked mile.
A
J Destiny is owned by Hechkoff’s, R.B. H. Ventures, Inc., and trained by Kyle
Spagnola. Also a winner of over $33,000 last year A J Destiny paid $2.40 for
win.
The
winter NAADA series will encompass twelve legs and a $15,000 Final at Yonkers
Raceway on Thursday, April 7. Besides Yonkers and Freehold Raceways events will
also be contested at Monticello Raceway during the duration of the NAADA series.
Next
event along the road to the finale will again be at Freehold on Saturday,
January 23 followed by race(s) at Monticello Raceway on Thursday, January 28.
For
more information on the NAADA Series please contact Joe Faraldo (718-544-6800)
or Alan Schwartz (845-292-8128).
