Wilkes Barre, PA – He might have been second choice in the wagering but driver Bob Hechkoff drove River Otter as if he was the favorite and went down the road from the five hole and cruised to a solid one-length triumph over six others in the $11,000 American Harness Drivers Club trot at the Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono earlier today (Oct. 16).

After starting from the five-hole Hechkoff immediately  sent his trotter to the front and they had command before the quarter mile timer flashed :27.2. After tapping the breaks River Otter  had a 1-1/4 length lead over the betting favorite Ziatan and driver Tony Beltrami when the field passed the halfway mark in :57.1. When they headed for the three quarters Melissa Arbia tried to join the leaders with Swancredit but they were  was still two lengths behind them as they trotted by the third quarter in  a swift 1:25.1.

When the leaders rounded the final turn and headed for paydirt Beltrami gave strong urging to Ziatan but found his tank was empty and they followed River Otter home to earn second money.  Ms Arbia gained the show dough with 23-1 Swancredit in the 1:55.2 clocked mile.

The race winner, River Otter, is owned by Hechkoff’s RBH Ventures and trained by Michael Stallworth. Sent off as the second favorite in the betting, River Otter paid $9.80 for the win.

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