Freehold, NJ — Bob “the Headhunter” Hechkoff knows that when a driver has the best horse in the race there’s only one place to be and that place is on the lead. So that’s just where he put Pound Sterling in the $9,000 leg of the American Harness Drivers Club series at Freehold Raceway on Saturday afternoon (Oct. 10).

After being roughed-up though a :28.4 first quarter, Hechkoff’s charge made the top from the five-hole and once there it was catch me if you can — and nobody could as the veteran trotter chugged to a 2:00.1 victory.

When the starter said “go” Paul “the Coach” Minore grabbed the racetrack with his old veteran, Wygant Prince, and then allowed a parked-out Pound Sterling to take command.

Hechkoff led the competition by the first stanza but he had to contend with Permanent Joy and driver Bobby “Rapid Rail” Krivlen, who moved first-up as the field headed to the half. Krivelin’s trotter was at first troubling to the leader but Hechkoff’s charge was up to the task and rebuffed the challenge.

When the field straightened for home, Pound Sterling was in command and the 7-year-old Muscle Hill gelding held the lead all the way to the wire. After a two-hole journey Wygant Prince was second best while Fiji and driver Dave “the Rave” Offenberg garnered the show dough.

The winner is co-owned by Kyle Spagnola and his driver and is trained by Spagnola. He paid $4.80 for win.