Bob “the Headhunter” Hechkoff is hot. The executive recruiter just won his eighth race this season in amateur competition and he’s cruising along with a .444 UDR in 24 starts.
His latest victory came last night (June 5) at Saratoga Raceway when he won a CKG Billings trot with his own trotter Bambino Hall in a time of 1:58.3.
In a field shortened to six starters after two scratches, Hechkoff changed his MO, and instead of gunning Bambino Hall for the lead, he took a seat in fourth position on the first turn while “Coach Paul” Minore, with Wygant Prince, parked “Hot Handed Hannah” Miller, and Pembroke Snapshot in a swift :28.3 first quarter.
Minore yielded as Miller took command and she led the field toward the halfway point. Hechkoff, perhaps sensing that the stiff first quarter might have taken something out of the two leaders, or maybe he wanted to get in front of Permanent Joy and Bob “Rapid Rail” Krivelin who were coming on the outside from the back of the pack, he moved Bambino Hall out to challenge Miller.
After the :59.3 half, Bambino Hall rambled to the lead as Permanent Joy kept going forward. At the three-quarters, Permanent Joy was third on the outside but Bambino Hall was getting away.
As the short field headed for paydirt, Bambino Hall kept pouring it on and drew off to a four length triumph over Permanent Joy. Wygant Prince overtook a tiring Pembroke Snapshot to secure the show dough.
It was the fourth seasonal win for the veteran trotter whose career earnings are approaching a half-million dollars.
“He’s such a nice horse to drive and he went a big race tonight,” Hechkoff said. “I’d like to have a barn full like him.”
Owned by Hechkoff’s RBH Ventures and trained by Kyle Spagnola, Bambino Hall was sent off as the betting favourite in the race and paid $4.90 for win.
(NAADA)