by John Manzi, for the
Billings Series
East Rutherford, NJ--The
CKG Billings Harness Driving Series, the granddaddy of all amateur driving
programs, was again on the move on Saturday evening (May 25) where nine Eastern
Region members competed over the mile oval at the Meadowlands Racetrack in New
Jersey. And when the event was finalized, Bob “the Headhunter” Hechkoff and
Noble Warrawee, rallied to the lead at the top of the stretch and then held off
a hard-charging Broadway Bruiser (Tony “the Capo” Verruso) to score a head
victory in a 1:58 clocking.
When the wings of the mobile
gate folded “Joltin' Joe” Pennacchio and Montepulciano grabbed the racetrack
and had command by first by the quarter in :28.. However, they were challenged
on the outside by both Landonfitz (Dave “the Rave” Offenberg) and Jacks To Open
(“Hurricane Hannah” Miller.
Montepulciano passed the
half in :57.1 but he couldn't shake his competitors. When the field approached
the third stanza Jacks To Open was beginning to fade but Landonfitz was still
at
Montepuchino's throat-latch.
With the traffic slowing the
front-end “Yankee Joe”Lee wheeled Talkaholic three-deep and Hechkoff didn't
wait to move Noble Warrawee to the far outside and both challengers cleared the
leaders but trouble loomed for them as Connie Keeper and Scott “the Driving
Doctor” Woogen got first call at the top of the lane. But that lead was
short-lived as Noble Warrawee battled back and the veteran trotter gained
command as they headed down the long lane. And just when it seemed that
Hechkoff's horse was home free, Tony “the Capo” Verruso had Broadway Bruiser in
high gear and the two trotters battled to the finish line. After a tight photo
Noble Warrawee got the decision over Broadway Bruiser.. Connie Keeper held on
for third money, just a short-head in front of Talkholic.
The winner, a 10-year-old
Angus Hall gelding is owned by Hechkoff's RBH Ventures and trained by Scott Di
Domenico He paid $16,00 for win.
The Billings Series goes
international the next two days with contests in Canada; Sunday at Flamboro
Downs and Monday at Woodbine Mohawk.
