by John Manzi, for the Delvin Miller Amateur Drivers Association
Monticello, NY — The two Billings Trots at Yonkers Raceway on Monday night (Nov. 14) were the final regular season races in the seven-month amateur driving series.
Although the results didn’t change the leaderboard, Tony “the Capo” Verruso, who earned the points champion title in the eastern region this year, added another victory to his seasonal total when he guided Drill Sergeant Sam to a rousing gate-to-wire victory in a time of 2:00 in the second division. Bob “the Headhunter” Hechkoff won the first non-betting split with his own Tremendous Hit, also in wire-to-wire fashion in a 2:00.3 clocking.
In his event, Verruso, who owns an embroidery company, quickly took command on the first turn from the four hole and he and Drill Sergeant Sam rambled through quarters of :29, :58.4 and 1:28.3 before finishing some eight lengths ahead of runner-up Long Story Short and driver Dein “the Jupiter Gem” Spriggs. Third place went to Double Strength who was driven by his owner, Dave “Yes It’s True” Offenberg.
“I wanted to get out of the gate and rate the mile but the horse was kicking the bike from the first turn on and wouldn’t relax. So I then decided to go as fast and as far as he could,” Verruso explained after his romping victory.
Verruso, the president of the Billings Series, scored his sixth triumph in series competition this season and now sports seasonal stats of seven wins, six seconds and four thirds in 34 starts which equates to a .343 UDR.
Hechkoff, an executive recruiter by trade, used similar strategy in his race when he gunned Tremendous Hit to the front from the three hole and went wire-to-wire en route to turning back Bank On Rosie who was driven by “Tough Tony” Ciuffetelli. “Lightning Laura” MacNamara and Anahar Charlie took home the show dough.
Hechkoff finished the Billings season with two consecutive wins and four overall in the series which catapulted him into sixth position on the leaderboard. For the season, Hechkoff has six wins, four seconds and two thirds and has a lofty UDR of .444.
For the record, the Midwest Region points champion is Steve “You’re Never Too” Oldford, an automotive manufacturer rep and the vice president of the Billings Series.
Now the stage is set for the Billings Regional Finals this coming weekend. On Saturday (Nov. 19), the Midwest Regional Final will be contested at Northfield Park while the Eastern Region Final will be raced on Sunday (Nov. 20) at Harrah’s Chester.