East Rutherford, NJ — The CKG Billings Harness Driving Series, the granddaddy of all amateur driving programs, was again on the move on Saturday evening (May 25) where nine Eastern Region members competed over the mile oval at the Meadowlands.

When the event was finalized, Bob “the Headhunter” Hechkoff and Noble Warrawee, rallied to the lead at the top of the stretch and then held off a hard-charging Broadway Bruiser (Tony “the Capo” Verruso) to score a head victory in 1:58.

When the wings of the mobile gate folded “Joltin’ Joe” Pennacchio and Montepulciano grabbed the racetrack and had command by first by the quarter in :28.1. However, they were challenged on the outside by both Landonfitz (Dave “the Rave” Offenberg) and Jacks To Open (“Hurricane Hannah” Miller.

Montepulciano passed the half in :57.1 but he couldn’t shake his competitors. When the field approached the third stanza Jacks To Open was beginning to fade, but Landonfitz was still at Montepuchino’s throat-latch.

With the traffic slowing the front-end “Yankee Joe”Lee wheeled Talkaholic three-deep and Hechkoff didn’t wait to move Noble Warrawee to the far outside and both challengers cleared the leaders but trouble loomed for them as Connie Keeper and Scott “the Driving Doctor” Woogen got first call at the top of the lane. That lead was short-lived as Noble Warrawee battled back and the veteran trotter gained command as they headed down the long lane.

Just when it seemed that Hechkoff’s horse was home free, Tony “the Capo” Verruso had Broadway Bruiser in high gear and the two trotters battled to the finish line. After a tight photo Noble Warrawee got the decision over Broadway Bruiser.. Connie Keeper held on for third money, just a short-head in front of Talkholic.

The winner, a 10-year-old Angus Hall gelding is owned by Hechkoff’s RBH Ventures and trained by Scott Di Domenico He paid $16.00 for win.

The Billings Series goes international the next two days with contests in Canada; Sunday at Flamboro Downs and Monday at Woodbine Mohawk.