by John Manzi, for the Delvin Miller Amateur Drivers Association

Monticello, NY — Steve “You’re Never Too” Oldford was the points leader in the Midwest Region of the C.K.G. Billings Harness Driving Championship Series right from the start so it was no surprise that the manufacturers sales rep from Croswell, Mich., won that regional final at Northfield Park on Saturday night (Nov. 19). But it was somewhat of a surprise that Bob “the Headhunter” Hechkoff, an executive recruiter from New York City who was sixth in total points, prevailed in the Eastern Regional Final at Harrah’s Chester on Sunday (Nov. 20).

At Northfield Park, Oldford, up behind his own Celtic Merchant, was sent off as the 3-2 favorite in the contest and he took no prisoners after he sent his veteran trotter to the lead from the six hole. Once on top they went wire-to-wire to score a 1:59.1 triumph in spite of the fact that Rush N Supreme and Kelly “Sky” Walker kept the pressure on Celtic Merchant.

“The rain cleared and the track was perfect,” Oldford related after his victory. “Coming from the six hole on a half-mile track I was going to duck him but (I) saw the three horse having trouble and then the one horse broke so we kept going. And once on top Celtic Merchant is hard to beat.”

Rush N Supreme and Walker left from the seven hole but they were parked past the half before they saw the pylons. Once in behind Celtic Merchant, Walker’s trotter followed the winner home to gain second money. Eye On The Prize took home the show dough for Bob “Lumberman” Troyer.

Celtic Merchant paid $5.00 for win.

The following day at Chester, Bob Hechkoff sent Tremendous Hit toward the front but they took a seat in the third position nearing the quarter pole and sat in while the action happened all around them over the 1-1/4 mile race. It wasn’t until late in the race that they shook free and once they did they went from worst to first and scored a one length triumph in a time of 2:32.2 on the five-eighths-mile oval.

Dave Offenberg finished second with Double Strength and “Lightning Laura” MacNamara, with 95-1 shot Oliver Kiss, weaved her way through traffic in the lane to finish third.

According to Hechkoff the 1-1/4 mile distance changed the dynamics of the race.

“I floated out of there and found a hole as the field neared the quarter pole because I didn’t want to be parked over the 1-1/4 mile distance. But after the half I got backed through the field and never got free until the final turn, but when I did I followed Offenberg (with Double Strength) and once I got clear I knew I was going to run everyone down,” Hechkoff said, referring to his victory.

Hechkoff also related that he was called by the presiding judge, Mike Hall, after the race and he tried to figure if he did anything wrong and wondered what the call was about.

“Once I got to the phone the judge congratulated me and said he was impressed by the race. He said we were like professionals out there and that everyone handled their horses well. He said he liked having us and that he liked the 1-1/4 mile race, saying it was something different,” Hechkoff related.

Owned by R.B.H. Ventures, Tremendous Hit paid $6.20 for win.

Now the stage is set for the Delvin Miller Memorial Gold, Silver and Bronze Cup Finals which will be contested on Friday (Dec. 2) at The Meadows.