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

Monticello, NY — When you’re hot you’re hot, and Bobby “Rapid Rail” Krivelin is proof of that. The talented amateur driver won the $12,000 C.K.G. Billings Eastern Regional final Wednesday night (Nov. 12) at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs with his Hero Stables’ Permanent Joy in a time of 1:57 over the swift five-eighths mile oval.

Billings photo

Bobby Krivelin

But you say one victory doesn’t make him hot? Well how about this — it was Krivelin’s second consecutive triumph in amateur driving competition, having won the $14,000 final of the North American Amateur Drivers Association over Yonkers Raceway’s double oval last Thursday with Current Crisis, another of his trotters that he enjoys driving. And in his last five races against fellow amateurs, Krivelin has three wins, one second and one third.

In the Eastern Regional finale Bob “the Headhunter” Hechkoff gunned his Tagmaster to the lead when the wings of the mobile gate folded and then played hardball, parking favored Rebel Strike, driven by “Mighty Matt” Zuccarello, as they raced side by side past the first stanza in :28 and the half in :58.

Krivelin took advantage of the parked pair and moved Permanent Joy to the outside up the backside and trotted by everyone as they passed the three-quarters in 1:27.1.

Steve “You’re Never Too” Oldford was locked in behind the tiring leaders with Celtic Merchant and could do nothing as Permanent Joy trotted to the lead. Oldford shook lose in the lane but it was too late to be able to catch Krivelin but his Celtic Merchant did earn the place money. Teezer Bree, with Tony “the Capo” Verruso aboard, came from far back and they weaved between horses in the lane to garner the show.

Sent off at odds of more than 5-1, Permanent Joy paid $13.40 for win.

After the race was completed the group went to the dining room and broke bread, which is customary among the amateur drivers.

According to Oldford, the trot at Pompano Park on Saturday (Nov. 15) will be the final preliminary event prior to the Billings $25,000 Gold and $15,000 Silver Cup finals. The winner at Pompano could possibly earn a berth in the rich series finales.