by john manzi for the Billings Amateur
Series
In
the first race on the Monday card of August 29 at Plainridge Park in
Massachusetts, if one was to wager on a horse because they liked its name, it’s
a good bet they’d have wagered on Trotalot, an accomplished 9-year old altered
son of SJ’s Photo. And for those game individuals who did, they would be raking
in the profits because Trotalot won the trotting contest in the eastern region
of the CKG Billings Amateur Driving Series.
Bob
“the Headhuntrer” Hechkoff, an executive recruiter by trade, was at the
controls when Trotalot took the lead from the pole position and led the field
throughout winning the race in a time of 1:56.4. But that triumph didn’t come
easy especially when Just Like Lloyd and driver“Bay State Bob” Kenney came
calling at the end of the mile.
Trotalot
and Just Like Lloyd matched stride for stride in the deep stretch but
Hechkoff’s charge prevailed, albeit by a long neck.
“I
heard Bob’s (Kenney) trotter coming at us and gaining slowly but thankfully
they ran out of racetrack,” Hechkoff said.
Third
place went to Shelikescandy in rein to “Buffalo Bob” Davis.
Trotalot
paid $4.00 for win which was the trotter’s fifth victoryof the season and 23rd
of the gelding’s career. He’s owned by RBH Ventures and Kyle Spagnola and
trained by Spagnola. For Hechkoff, it marked his 10th seasonal
driving victory and 87th of his amateur career.
Next Billings action will be in the Midwest region
over the five-eighths mile track at Scioto Downs in Columbus, Ohio on Saturday,
September 3rd.
