In the first race on the Monday card 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.
The accomplished, nine-year old altered son of SJs Photo helped his backers rake in some serious profits thanks to his win in the trotting contest in the eastern region of the CKG Billings Amateur Driving Series.
Bob “the Head-hunter” 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, who paid $4.00 for the win, notched his fifth victory of the season and the 23rd of his 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.
(CKG Billings Amateur Driving Series)