by John Manzi, for the Delvin Miller Amateur Drivers Association

Monticello, NY — After their driving victories in the C.K.G. Billings Amateur Driving Series regional finals on Nov. 10, both “Trader Bud” Hatfield and Bob “the Headhunter” Heckoff not only vaulted into second place on their respective regional leaderboards but as owners of their charges each took home the lion’s share of the hefty purses offered.

“Trader Bud” easily copped the $6,000 Midwest regional final at Northfield Park with his Wolf’s Jann in 2:00 and Heckoff took home half of the $10,000 purse in the Eastern regional final at Yonkers Raceway when he guided his Tremendous Hit to a 2:08 triumph in that 1-1/16th-mile contest.

At Northfield Park last Saturday, Hatfield sent Wof’s Jann to the lead from the two hole and the farther they went the more daylight they opened between themselves and their competition. At the wire Wolf’s Jann was a five length winner over 17-1 longshot Merlincrest, driven by Mike “the Doo-Wop Doc” Caston. Third place went to Oliver Kiss with the Midwest Region points champion, Steve “You’re Never Too” Oldford in the pilot’s seat.

Earlier that evening, hundreds of miles away at Yonkers Raceway, Bob Hechkoff and Tremendous Hit also used the front-end route to victory in the Eastern regional finale to turn back Sam’s S Honeybee, driven by the Billings Series president, Tony “the Capo” Verruso. Third place went to New Zion in rein to the Eastern Region points champ, Bob “the Rapid Rail” Krivelin.

The 31st season of the C.K.G. Billings Harness Driving Series began on April 28 at Pompano Park and on Sunday afternoon (Nov. 18) the amateur driving series will culminate at Harrah’s Philadelphia with the Delvin Miller Memorial $25,000 Gold Cup, the $15,000 Silver Cup and the $7,500 Bronze Cup championships.