by John Manzi, for the Delvin Miller Amateur Drivers Association

Monticello, NY — Prior to the start of the Billings Trot at Freehold Raceway on May 25, the local fans felt confident wagering on Bob “the Headhunter” Hechkoff and his veteran trotter Tremendous Hit and sent them away as the even money favorite in the race.

Their confidence was rewarded when Tremendous Hit rallied in the lane to score an easy two length triumph in a 2:01.3 clocking, his fourth of the season.

With Peter “the Past President” Gerry cutting the fractions aboard Drill Sergeant Sam, Hechkoff was content to sit a pocket and wait for a later moment to make any move at the leader.

Gerry got the field by the halfway point in 1:01.3 and up the backside was the time that Hechkoff chose to mount a charge. But at nearly the same time that Hechkoff moved so did Dave “Steady As” Yarock with Rompaway Alvin. Tremendous Hit moved steadily toward the leader as did Rompaway Alvin who was three-deep on the far outside and the three trotters passed the third stanza heads apart. But still Drill Sergeant Sam had the lead and the pylons.

Around the final turn Gerry’s charge had already used his best strides and Tremendous Hit and “the Headhunter” came calling. As soon as both trotters straightened in the lane, Tremendous Hit proved his superiority and trotted off to a two length triumph in a solid 2:01.3 clocking. Drill Sergeant Sam held second while Rompaway Alvin finished third.

“He’s a grand old campaigner and a real veteran of the racing wars,” a happy Bob Hechkoff said about his Tremendous Hit. “He knows what to do without much urging and his motor is still pretty big for an 11-year-old.”

For Hechkoff, an executive recruiter, it marked his third driving victory in just eight seasonal starts and the 33rd of his amateur driving career. And the victory was the 40th for Tremendous Hit.

Tremendous Hit, trained by Brandon Simpson for the RBH Ventures Inc. of New York City, paid $4.40 for win.