NAADA Trots at Yonkers Thursday

Yonkers, NY--Two non betting $10,000 divisions for amateur drivers in the current NAADA harness racing pacing series went to post tonight (Sept.23) at Yonkers Raceway and when the judges posted the official signs Tony Beltrami and Matt Zuccarello each were victorious in the respective splits; Beltrami won with Dark Pool in 1:59.3 while Zuccarello reined Stealing home first in 2:02.2.

Both horses used the front-end route to victory.

In his split Beltrami had Dark Pool (Cantab Hall) on the lead before the quarter mile timer flashed :29.1. And once on top he played catch me if you can as the 8-year old opened daylight on the field and cruised home an oh-so-easy 4-1/2 length winner over Ladys Big Stormont (Alan Schwartz). Momm’s My Dad garnered the show dough for Joe Faraldo

The second division was more competitive with three horses across the track when the photo-finish camera flashed.

Stealing and Matt Zuccarello vaulted to the lead when the wings of the mobile gate folded and they got first call by every stanza except when they passed the three quarters and headed for home. At that juncture Joe Faraldo had Gemini Eddie in high gear after a first-up move. and they gained command but were soon joined by Prescott and driver Joe Pennacchio as the field headed for paydirt.

In the lane.the three trotters were side by side as they approached the finish line but the pace-setter, Stealing (Yankee Glide) and Zuccarello hung tough and wouldn’t be denied. They finished a head better than Prescott with Gemini Eddie a head farther back in third.

For full race results, click here.

by John Manzi, for NAADA