by John Manzi, for the C.K.G. Billings Series

Monticello, NY — Bob “the Headhunter” Hechkoff has been a force to be reckoned with over the past few years in the Billings Harness Driving Series. With his victory at Freehold Raceway on Saturday afternoon (Sept. 20), the Executive Recruiter by trade notched his eighth seasonal victory when he guided his own Tagmaster to gate-to-wire triumph in a 2:01.1 clocking.

Alaric and “Johnny on The Spot” Kolkowski finished second, some four lengths behind the winner, while third place went to Sam’s Honeybee, driven by the Billings Series president, Tony “the Capo” Verruso.

Besides his eight wins, Hechkoff’s seasonal stats also include 12 seconds and four thirds in 38 trips to post for a whopping .421 UDR.

Last year he was the winner of the Harness Racing Museum’s Amateur Driver of the Year Award and again this year, “the Headhunter” has a good chance of repeating, especially if he can hold off Steve “You’re Never Too” Oldford.

Although Hechkoff currently leads Oldford in total points, 125-115, to become the Museum’s Amateur of the Year it all comes down to the total amount of money donated to the Museum from the percentage earned by the horses they drive in the Billings Series.

Still, there are plenty of chances for all Billings participants to add to their seasonal earnings with 10 series events remaining before the regional finales in November. And when the series preliminary legs are concluded the $25,000 Gold and $15,000 Silver Cup finals will be contested at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Nov. 23.

The Gold and Silver Cup finales are for the Billings drivers who earned the most points during the seven month series. Besides Hechkoff (135) and Oldford (115), the current leaders in points include Tony Verruso (81), “Marvelous Marvin” Raber (80), “Mighty Matt” Zuccarello (73), Dave “Yes it’s True” Offenberg, (73), David “Steady As” Yarock (66), “Tough Tony” Ciuffetelli (61), Peter “Sycamore Ventures” Gerry (61) and Dave “Linemaster” Ehrenberg (54).