Yonkers hosts two divisions of NAADA Trots

YONKERS, N.Y.— Harness racing amateur driver Andrew Adamczyk popped pocket to hit the line first and Tony Ciuffetelli chugged down the highway to take their respective $13,100 divisions of the North American Amateur Drivers Association (NAADA) Trots at Yonkers Raceway on Thursday night (May 3).

Adamczyk guided Explosive Ridge (Explosive Matter) to a 1:58.3 win in the first division. Securing the seat behind tempo-setter Skyway Professor (driven by Joe Lee), Explosive Ridge sat poised through a clip of :27.3, :57.1 and 1:27.2 and struck coming for home. Explosive Ridge vaulted from the pocket to grab the lead and scoot clear to a 1-3/4-length win chased by Swan Hilluva Time (Tony Ciuffetelli), who moved first over to the final turn to take second. Skyway Professor faded to third and Winneress (Anthony Verruso) closed for fourth.

Andrew Adamczyk owns and trains Explosive Ridge, a 10-year-old gelding. He won the lone division that went as a non-wagering race before the card.

Muscle Dan (Dover Dan) the point in the second division and clung to a 1:58.3 victory as the 7-5 favorite. Ciuffetelli sent Muscle Dan for the front from the pylon post and grabbed the lead to a :28.1 first quarter. He faced no pressure through the middle portion of the race while cutting fractions of :57.4 and 1:27.2 but spun for home on fumes.

Beacon Beach (Joe Lee) came charging from first over to challenge for the lead late, but Muscle Dan hit the line in time to score a nose win. Doo Wop Kid (Alan Schwartz) took third from pocket-sitter Jive Ninety Five (Yogi Sheridan), who faded to fourth.

MUSCLE DAN REPLAY

Tony Ciuffetelli trains Muscle Dan, a 5-year-old gelding, for owners Joseph and Albert Ciuffetelli. He paid $4.90 to win.

NAADA action shifts to Monticello Raceway next Wednesday (May 8) for the penultimate preliminary of the club’s Spring Series. Monticello will also host the series’ final leg before the final on Thursday, May 23 at Yonkers Raceway. First-race post time at Monticello is 12:10 p.m. (EDT).

For complete non-wagering race results, click here: US Trotting results.

For complete pari-mutuel race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Ray Cotolo, for NAADA