By john manzi for the Billings Series
Known
in the Billings Series as “the Headhunter” because in his professional life
he’s an executive recruiter, Bob Hechkoff added another victory to his amateur
driving credentials when he reined The Franchise to a 1:59.4 victory in a
Billings Trot eastern region event which was contested as a non-wagering affair
at Yonkers Raceway on Thursday, April 27.
After
starting from the seven-hole Hechkoff eased his trotter to the pylons and fell
into third position. “Smokin’ Joe” Faraldo took early command with Signal Hill
OK only to relinquish the lead to “Coach Paul” Minore and Wygant Prince who
then led the seven-horse field past the first stanza :29.2.
As
they headed to the halfway point Hechkoff moved The Franchise first-up and they
cleared Minore’s trotter before the three quarter timer flashed 1:29.4.
“I
had The Franchise in high gear and we opened up two lengths,” Hechkoff
recalled. “As we straightened for home Minore came at us with Wygant Prince but
horse was up to the challenge and dug in and was strong right to the wire.”
Three
trotters came to paydirt just necks apart but The Franchise got last call which
gave “The Headhunter” his third seasonal driving victory, a neck winner over
Wygant Prince in the 1:59.4 mile.. The other horse in the three-horse photo,
Landonfitz, came from far back for Dave “Steady as“ Yarock and each of the top
three finishers were individually timed in 1:59.4.
The Franchise, a 7-year-old Muscles Yankee gelding, is owned by RBH Ventures
and trained by Kyle Spagnola. For Hechkoff, the victory was his 92nd
of his amateur driving career.Next Bilings action will be in the mid-west region at Miami Valley Raceway on Monday, May 7.
