NAADA amateurs meet at Yonkers

Yonkers, NY–Two $10,000 divisions of the North America Amateur Drivers Association, one marred by an accident, went to post tonight (Sept. 15) at Yonkers Raceway as harness racing non-wagering events.

Alan Schwartz won his split in 1:59.3 with Reel Em In (Crazed) and Matt Zuccarello copped the second with Judge Ken (Justice Hall) in 2:02.

In his division Schwartz settled Reel Em In second behind Tony Verruso’s Call Me Thefireman going to the quarter in 28.1 and followed him through fractions :58 and 1:27.4 all the way to the top of the stretch. But when they headed for paydirt Schwartz’s charge was the strong horse and he rallied to a 1-1/2 length triumph in 1:59.3. Third place went to Con Air Hall driven by Chris Petrelli.

The winner is owned by Tony Mazzeo and trained by Bobby Dill.

In the other split Zuccarello sent Judge Ken to the front and zipped by the quarter in :29.3.

However, there was trouble at the back of the pack when two horses, Keystone Blade (Joe Pennacchio) and Cyclone Maximus (Chris Petrelli) tangled and fell. With horses on the track those still racing went wide and stayed in their positions until the field went by the three quarters.

They stayed in their positions around the final turn and all the way to the wire. At the finish Judge Ken led Winneress by a length at the wire in a time of 2:02. Charlie Longo took home the show dough with Crews Hilltopper.

The winner is owned by Winners Circle Racing and John Campagnoulo and trained by Dennis Laterza.

For complete race results, click here.

by John Manzi, for NAADA