Yonkers, NY – Two $10,000 non-betting harness racing divisions of trotters in the North American Amateur Drivers Association Series went to post Thursday at Yonkers Raceway and when the judges declared them official John Calabrese and Alan Schwartz each reined a winner in their respective splits; Calabrese with Dark Pool in 1:58.4 and Schwartz with Raceace in 1:59.3.
In his split Calabrese left softly from the four-hole and settled in fourth as Tony Verruso zipped to the lead with Winneress in the :29.4 first quarter.
From there Verruso kept the pedal to the metal and Winneress got first call at the :59.3 half and they still had command when they passed the three quarters in 1:29.2.
Before that point Calabrese was out and going in pursuit of the leader and when the field rounded the final turn Dark Pool ranged alongside Winneress and they raced head-to-head to a photo finish.
When the judges viewed the picture, they declared Dark Pool a head winner over Winneress. Third place went to Pilgrim Caviar (Joe Lee).
In the other split Alan Schwartz and Raceace went right down the road from pole position and played catch me if you can… and nobody could… and Raceace got first call at each stanza though Tony Verruso rallied Call Me Thefireman in the homestretch, but they were a head short at the wire as the timer flashed 1:59.1. Chief Justice finished third for Tony Beltrami.
For full race results, click here.
by John Manzi, for NAADA