As the seven month C.K.G. Billings Harness Drivers Series
heads into the home stretch two trots were staged at the Mighty M on
Wednesday, Oct. 2.
In the first Billings split, Bob “the Headhunter”
Hechkoff had his veteran trotter Tremendous Hit on the pole and they took
the lead on the first turn although Terry “the Dairy Queen” Donnelly with
Canadian Princess also wanted that location. However Hechkoff had other
thoughts.
He not only parked Donnelly past the quarter but he kept her
on the limb the entire mile through relatively stiff fractions but neither
Donnelly nor Canadian Princess quit.
They were still second on the outside at the three quarters
and at the top of the lane Donnelly’s mare finally tired but didn’t give it
up as Tremendous Hit finally drew off by two lengths to win in
2:01.4. “Chicago George” Bonomo, with Upfrontstrikesgold rallied to be
second while Canadian Princess hung on gamely for third money .
“He’s a great old guy and such a pleasure to drive,”
Hechkoff, an executive recruiter by trade, , said of Tremendous Hit.”I love
this horse.”
Sent off as the favorite in the race Tremendous Hit, owned
by Hechkoff’s RBH Ventures, paid $4.40 for win.
The other split saw Dave “Steady As” Yarock and Guiding
Light bide their time in the pocket and move forward as others in front
pulled off the pylons.
At the top of the stretch they were second on the inside but
still some two lengths behind the pace-setter, Two Shot Lead, driven by
Alan “the Intimidator” Schwartz.
It appeared that Two Shot Lead would get the job done
but in the deep stretch his strides shortened and Guiding Light went charging
by and went on to defeat him and win by a length in 2:01.2. Northmedo
Wine Guy and “Mighty Matt” Zuccarello took home the show dough.
Jim Doherty, Jr. trains Guiding Light who’s owned by Yarock,
who is a financial planner by profession. Sent off at odds of 6-1 the veteran 9
year old trotting gelding returned a $14.20 win payoff.
