Calabrese Coasts in NAADA Trot

MONTICELLO, N.Y.— John Calabrese took command with 1-5 favorite Draco S and gradually separated from the harness racing competition in progress to an open-length victory in the $7,500 North American Amateur Drivers Association (NAADA) Trot at Monticello Raceway on Wednesday (July 9).

Leaving from post 5, Calabrese cleared control from 50-1 shot Raceace (driven by Alan Schwartz) through a :29 first quarter and strode unfettered to a half in :59.2. Steel (Tony Ciuffetelli) attempted a first-over push out of third on the second circuit, but made minimal inroads as Draco S continued on an easy lead to three-quarters in 1:29.2.

Draco S spun for home on a widening advantage and crossed the beam to post a 4-1/4-length win in 1:59.1 over Psalmsfortysixfive (Scott Keppler), who rallied from a second-over trip for second.

Raceace settled for third from a pocket ride and Itsoneofthose (McKenzie Sowers) sat a ground-saving trip for fourth.

Cory Stratton trains Draco S, a 10-year-old gelding by Offshore Dream, for owner Howard Jacobs. He paid $2.50 to win.

DRACO S REPLAY

NAADA action continues next Wednesday (July 11) at Monticello with the fifth preliminary of the club’s summer trotting series. First-race post time at Monticello is 12:10 p.m. (EDT).

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

by Ray Cotolo, for the NAADA