Ciuffetelli captures NAADA Trot

MONTICELLO, N.Y.— Tony Ciuffetelli sat a comfy harness racing trip and struck from the pocket to win going away in the $7,500 North American Amateur Driving Association (NAADA) Trot at Monticello Raceway on Wednesday afternoon (Jul. 19).

Call Me Thefireman (driven by Anthony Verruso) launched from the pylon post to control proceedings through a :29.2 first quarter with Ciuffetelli settling into second with 6-5 favorite Reel Em In (Crazed). Fair Glider (Joe Lee), caught wide after breaking stride towards the quarter, reengaged moving to a :59.2 half and marched to within a length of the leader before soon tiring to the backside.

As Fair Glider retreated, P C Foreign Affair (Robert Ciavardini) plugged forward along the rim and came head-to-head with Call Me Thefireman to three-quarters in 1:29.4. P C Foreign Affair soon tired rounding the final turn, leaving Call Me Thefireman on a two-length lead spinning off the bottom corner. But Reel Em In accelerated off the covered ride and powered past Call Me Thefireman in the stretch to post a two-length victory in 1:59.2. Judge Ken (Jacob Stillwell) took third and P C Foreign Affair settled for fourth.

Robert Dill trains Reel Em In, a 6-year-old gelding, for owner Anthony Mazzeo. He paid $4.30 to win.

REEL EM IN / TONY CIUFFETELLI REPLAY

NAADA action resumes next Thursday night (July 27) at Yonkers Raceway with the penultimate preliminary for the Summer Series. The NAADA Summer Series will feature a consolation at Monticello Raceway on Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 9 and a final at Yonkers Raceway on Thursday night, Aug. 10.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Ray Cotolo, for NAADA