Last to first for Adamczyk in both NAADA trots

MONTICELLO, N.Y. – Harness racing amateur driver Andrew Adamczyk rolled down the road and later recovered from a break in stride at the start to go from last to first and complete a sweep of the $7,500 North American Amateur Drivers Association (NAADA) Trots at Monticello Raceway on Wednesday (May 15).

In the first division, Adamczyk guided Explosive Ridge (Explosive Matter) to a 2:00 front-stepping victory. Adamczyk cleared the lead with Explosive Ridge past a :29 first quarter and slowed proceedings towards a 1:00.1 half, prompting Hunters Gal (driven by Joe Lee) to angle off the pegs from third.

Hunters Gal made minimal gains on the rim while Explosive Ridge coasted up the backside and clocked three-quarters in 1:30.1 with few threats looming. As Hunters Gal faltered on the spin for home, Explosive Ridge had just pocket-sitter Kasha’s Boy (Alan Schwartz) in contention and easily kept him at bay by 1-3/4 lengths. Hunters Gal held third, another four lengths behind, with Just A Passenger (Marianna Monaco) taking fourth.

Explosive Ridge, a 10-year-old gelding, competes for owner-trainer Andrew Adamczyk. Sent the favorite, he paid $3.10 to win.

EXPLOSIVE RIDGE REPLAY

Despite going on a gallop from post 8 and catching the field with a dozen-length deficit, Bully Boy (Jailhouse Jesse) and Andrew Adamczyk swarmed back into competition and grabbed gold with a 2:01.1 effort in the second division.

By A Hoff Hanover (Joe Faraldo) faced a challenge that bubbled to war with Cellular (Scott Keppler) past a :29.2 first quarter. Cellular sat on the rim trying to clear the lead but By A Hoff Hanover handed him a parking ticket sustained through a :59.1 half and 1:29.3 three-quarters.

While the pair stayed glued on the front, Adamczyk launched an assault with Bully Boy from sixth and charged to battle the dueling tandem from three wide through the final turn. Bully Boy continued chugging upon straightening and trotted for home with the most momentum to land a length win over Cellular in second. By A Hoff Hanover tired from the battle and settled for third with Flashy Swan (Lee Morris) closing for fourth.

Gary Messenger trains Bully Boy, an 8-year-old gelding for owner Brenda Messenger. He paid $7.30 to win.

BULLY BOY REPLAY

With all 10 preliminaries in the books, the NAADA Spring Series moves to its final slated for next Thursday (May 23) at Yonkers Raceway. First-race post time at Yonkers is 7 p.m. (EDT).

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

by Ray Cotolo, for NAADA