Yonkers, NY-–Two $10,000 divisions of harness racing trotters in the North American Amateur Drivers Series went to post tonight at Yonkers Raceway and when the judges declared each race official Joe Lee won the first leg with Makin Trouble K in 2:00.3 while John Calabrese copped the second division with Dark Pool in 1:59.4.
Both races were non-wagering affairs prior to the first race on the betting card.
In the first event Joe Lee sent Makin Trouble K to the lead after the start and they showed the way past the quarter in :29 seconds. Alone on the front-end and with no challenges Lee got his charge by the half in :59.4.
Still comfortable on the lead Makin Trouble K got first call at the three quarters in 1:29.4 and when he headed for home, he drew a crowd as Raceace (Alan Schwartz) and Wineress (Tony Verruso) joined the fray, and the three trotters were heads apart when they crossed the finish line.
After the judges examined the photo, it was clear that Makin Trouble K was a head winner over Raceace with Winneress third in the tight photo.
Makin Trouble K is owned by Bruce Aldrich, Jr and trained by Laura Perino.
In the other division driver Tony Verruso sent Jimmy Dean to the lead and they led the field by the first quarter in :28 with the eventual winner eight lengths behind the leader at that point.
Going to the half in :59 John Calabrese had Dark Pool off the pylons and moving toward the lead which he gained after the three quarters was trotted in 1:29.1. When he headed for home Dark Pool was in command and in the stretch Joe Lee rallied Pilgrim Caviar up for second money and Jake Stillwell garnered the show dough with Cyclone Maximus.
Dark Pool is owned by Barry Franklin and trained by Paul Fusco.
For full race results, click here.
by John Manzi, for NAADA