Wilkes-Barre, PA — The rain had let up but the track was sloppy and the wind was blowing as the AHDC amateur drivers headed to the post Sunday (Aug. 22) at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono.

Anyone who has braved the muddy going at the Pennsylvania oval knows that red clay is almost impossible to get out of your driving colors, but that was little concern to Robert Hechkoff. He guided his charge Southwind Frost to a wire-to-wire triumph in a 1:57.2 clocking.

There was plenty of action at the start as Southwind Frost was only one of a host of leavers. French Moni, Hotfoot Hannah and Muskingum all had thoughts of being on the lead in the off going, but Hechkoff was not about to yield the front end easily.

Paul Minore seated French Moni quickly in the pocket spot as Tony Ciuffetelli was backing Hotfoot Hannah into the three hole, passing the quarter in :29. That left Muskingum and Matt Zuccarello on the outside for what would be a long trip. They did challenge Southwind Frost for the lead but that was mostly due to Hechkoff backing down the second quarter and stealing a :59.3 half.

From there it was hit the gas and go, which is exactly what he did, drawing away to win by 4-1/2 lengths, after posting a blistering :27.4 third quarter. Hotfoot Hannah was able to rally out of the third spot to capture the place money as French Moni held off a late charging Slated To Win and James Foley for third.

For Southwind Frost, It was his fourth win of the 2021 campaign, returning his backers an even $4.00. Hechkoff took his seventh win of the season, putting both combatants on track to be the early favorites in next Sunday’s $15,000 AHDC final at Pocono.