Yogi Sheridan bagged both $10,000 divisions for the North American Amateur Drivers Association (NAADA) Fall Series at Yonkers Raceway on Thursday night (Oct. 19).
In the non-betting division, Sheridan secured a pocket ride for Drazzmatazz and attacked at the right time to claim a 2:01 win. Reel Em In (Robert Krivelin) cut the fractions to a :29 first quarter and :59.4 half before pocket-sitter Drazzmatazz pounced with awaiting cavalry behind. Fair Glider (Robert Ciavardini) advanced first over until catching brief cover from Drazzmatazz to three-quarters in 1:30.1. Drazzmatazz seized the lead to the final turn and withstood the persistent push from Fair Glider along with a late charge from Stravinsky (Tony Beltrami) in the lane to hold a neck in front at the beam. Stravinsky took second with Fair Glider third and Winneress (Anthony Verruso) closing for fourth.
Terry Morgan trains Drazzmatazz, a 10-year-old gelding by RC Royalty, for owner Danbry Racing Inc.
Sheridan came back on the betting card to score a 2:02 victory with 7-5 favourite Lionhead. Away fifth to a :29.4 first quarter, Sheridan marched uncovered with Lionhead through a 1:01.4 half stolen by uncontested leader Call Me Thefireman (Anthony Verruso), who then readied on the defensive to the backstretch. Call Me Thefireman engaged as Lionhead loomed closer and kept that rival at bay through three-quarters in 1:31.4, but Lionhead kept plugging spinning for home. Lionhead lunged for the lead in the lane and downed Call Me Thefireman to the finish by a half length with pocket-sitter By A Hoff Hanover (Joe Faraldo) left in third and All Rise (Tony Beltrami) taking fourth.
Terry Morgan owns and trains Lionhead, a seven-year-old Uncle Peter gelding. He paid $4.90 to win.
NAADA continues next Thursday, Oct. 26 at Yonkers Raceway with the final preliminary for the Fall Trotting Series. A consolation is scheduled to go on Wednesday, Nov. 1 at Monticello Raceway and the Fall Trotting Series final will go to post on Thursday, Nov. 2 at Yonkers Raceway.
Driver Austin Siegelman won with Vinny De Vie at 21-1 and Alex Tye at 17-1 during Thursday night’s Pick 5 at Yonkers and was the main catalyst that led to no tickets having five of five in the wager. As a result, Friday night’s (Oct. 20) program at Yonkers will have a $5,394.60 carryover and a $15,000 guaranteed pool in the Pick 5 sequence.
The guarantee in the Pick 5 is being offered as part of the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering Program. Free past performances for the Pick 5, courtesy of TrackMaster, will be available at the USTA website. The Pick 5, which begins in race five, has a takeout rate of 20 percent.
MGM Yonkers Raceway is hosting live racing on Monday through Friday nights with post time at 7 p.m.
(With files from NAADA and Yonkers Raceway)