Monticello Raceway hosted three $10,135 divisions for the North American Amateur Driver Association’s (NAADA) Spring Series on Wednesday, April 10 with each division having a different driver claim victory.
In the first split, Alan Schwartz rolled down the road with 6-5 favourite Kashas Boy to win in 2:01.4 over a sloppy track. Schwartz grabbed the lead while Brutal Storm (Andrew Adamczyk) secured the pocket. While on the lead, Kashas Boy faced minimal pressure through fractions of :30.2, 1:01.1 and 1:31. Schwartz then spun for home on a two-length lead and coasted in a 1-1/2-length winner over Brutal Storm. Winneress (Anthony Verruso) gained position off a pylon trip to take third and Skrill (Scott Keppler) took fourth.
Schwartz owns and trains Kashas Boy, an eight-year-old gelding by Mr Cantab. He paid $4.50 to win.
Lee Morris scored a 17-1 upset in the second NAADA split behind Warrawee Preferred in a 2:01.2 mile. Morris got away third to a :29 first quarter behind battling leaders By A Hoff Hanover (Alan Schwartz) and Bully Boy (Anthony Verruso). Bully Boy cleared the lead and scampered to a 2-3/4-length lead to a :59 half and attempted to slow proceedings to the backside. Jumpshot (Andrew Adamczyk) then pulled off the pegs from fourth and advanced to press the leader while Warrawee Preferred had ample room to angle off the cones and catch cover. Bully Boy continued to lead by three-quarters in 1:30.1 and kept Jumpshot at bay through the turn. Morris, meanwhile, sprung Warrawee Preferred off cover into the stretch drive and vaulted for the lead to grab the win by a length. Bully Boy settled for second with Jumpshot finishing third and Cellular (Scott Keppler) taking fourth.
McKenzie Sowers conditions Warrawee Preferred, a 13-year-old gelding by Federal Flex, for owner Ryan Berry. He paid $36.80 to win.
The final division went to Matt Zuccarello and 2-1 favourite Skyway Professor by way of disqualification in a 2:02 mile. Zuccarello carved the fractions with Skyway Professor after dashing to a :28.4 first quarter and then slowing to a 1:00 half. Raceace (Alan Schwartz) drafted from the pocket while Southwind Larado (Robert Ciavardini) got underway uncovered on the rim. Southwind Larado drew to Skyway Professor’s wheel at three-quarters in 1:30.3, but levelled off through the turn as the field started to spread wide and tighten. Skyway Professor persisted through the siege into the lane, though Flashy Swan (Tony Ciuffetelli) turned for home, went inside a pylon and charged up the inside to pass the beam first by a head. The pylon infraction resulted in his disqualification, elevating Skyway Professor into first. Raceace moved into second while Flashy Swan was disqualified to third and Call Me Thefireman (Anthony Verruso) closed from last for fourth.
Dennis Laterza trains Skyway Professor, a five-year-old gelding by Swan For All, for owners Latz A Luck Stable, Winners Circle Racing and John Campagnuolo. He paid $6.30 to win.
After the last race of the day, NAADA members were on hand for a $2,500 USD cheque presentation to the Federation of the Homeless in the winner’s circle after the last race of the day. NAADA's Executive Secretary Alicia Schwartz presented the donation to Sam Wohl, Chairman of the Board of the Sullivan County Federation of the Homeless.
The NAADA organization has been making contributions to the local food bank for over a decade, said former marine and President of the Monticello Harness Horsemen’s Association, Alan Schwartz, in the winner’s circle.
“We are glad to be able to help out in a small way to those less fortunate in the community during these tough times," said Schwartz. "Over the years, we have donated more than $20,000 [USD] to the Federation and are hopeful we’ll be able to continue to do so long into the future.”
NAADA action resumes next Wednesday, April 17 at Monticello Raceway for the sixth preliminary of the club’s Spring Series. First-race post time at Monticello is 12:10 p.m. (EDT).
(With files from NAADA and Monticello Raceway)