Keppler coasts in NAADA Trot

MONTICELLO, N.Y.— Scott Keppler cleared command and held firm to the line to snag the $7,500 North American Amateur Drivers Association (NAADA) Trot at Monticello on Wednesday (April 23).

Leaving from post 5, Keppler crossed over to take control with Psalmsfortysixfive (Fitzmagic) to a :30 first quarter while Mufasa As (driven by Joe Faraldo) obliged for the pocket.Keppler then slowed proceedings to a 1:02.1 half, at which point Hobbs (Victoria Stratton) pulled first over to mount a challenge. But Psalmsfortysixfive promptly accelerated for the backside, clocking three-quarters in 1:31 while Hobbs stalled on the rim. Psalmsfortysixfive spun for home with just Mufasa As to turn away and did so by just a half length at the end of a 2:00.1 mile. Reel Em In (Joe Lee) rallied off a ground-saving trip for third while 3-2 favorite Fanatic (Yogi Sheridan) closed from third over for fourth.

PSALMFORTYSIXFIVE REPLAY

Jose Godinez trains Psalmsfortysixfive, a 5-year-old mare by Fitzmagic, for owner Scott Keppler. She paid $19.60 to win.

NAADA action shifts back to Yonkers Raceway next Thursday (May 1) for the seventh leg of the club’s Spring Fling Series. First-race post time at Yonkers is 6:45 p.m. (EDT).

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

by Ray Cotolo, for the NAADA