by John Manzi, for the NAADA

Monticello, NY — When Bob Hechkoff entered Tremendous Hit in the Thursday (Oct. 6) NAADA Trotting Series leg at Monticello Raceway he knew he would have one of the better horses in the contest. Moreover, after the post positions were drawn he felt he had the best horse in the race despite the fact that Tremendous Hit drew the seven hole.

When the gate sprung Hechkoff drove like he was the best. He sent Tremendous Hit toward the front and although George Casale, with Mr Troy, parked him until halfway around the second turn, Hechkoff remained undaunted.

Tremendous Hit passed the half-mile marker in 1:01.2 and at the three-quarters in 1:33 the trotter had two lengths on the field. When Heckhoff asked for more, Tremendous Hit dug in and trotted a :30.1 final stanza en route to a three length triumph in a 2:03.1 clocking. Mr Troy and Casale held second place while Alan Schwartz and Wen-Mar’s Handsome rallied from far back to finish third.

“I really felt my horse was the best going into the race but I wasn’t happy with the seven hole,” Hechkoff said after his victory. “After we took the lead I knew no one was going to beat us.”

It was Hechkoff’s fourth driving victory in 13 starts. He also has four seconds for a .409 UDR. Hechkoff is a longtime member of the Billings Series where his nickname is “Headhunter” because of his profession as an executive recruiter. Two of his victories this season were in the Billings Series at Yonkers Raceway and here at the Mighty M.

The next leg of the series will take place at Yonkers Raceway on Thursday (Oct. 13).