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Monday, January 18, 2016

KRIVELIN; HECHKOFF, NAADA WINNRS AT FREEHOLD RACEWAY ON JAN. 16

  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).