Three NAADA splits of Spring Series held

MONTICELLO, N.Y.— Monticello Raceway hosted three $7,500 harness racing divisions for the North American Amateur Driver Association’s (NAADA) Spring Series on Wednesday (April 10) with each division seeing a different driver claim victory.

In the first split, Alan Schwartz rolled down the road with 6-5 favorite Kasha’s Boy (Mr Cantab) to win in 2:01.4. Schwartz grabbed the lead while Brutal Storm (driven by Andrew Adamczyk) secured the pocket. While on the lead, Kasha’s Boy faced minimal pressure through fractions of :30.2, 1:01.1 and 1:31. Schwartz then spun for home on a two-length lead and coasted in a 1-1/2-length winner over Brutal Storm. Winneress (Anthony Verruso) gained position off a pylon trip to take third and Skrill (Scott Keppler) took fourth.

KASHA’S BOY REPLAY

Alan Schwartz owns and trains Kasha’s Boy, an 8-year-old gelding. He paid $4.50 to win.

Lee Morris scored a 17-1 upset in the second NAADA split behind Warrawee Preferred (Federal Flex) in a 2:01.2 mile. Morris got away third to a :29 first quarter behind battling leaders By A Hoff Hanover (Alan Schwartz) and Bully Boy (Anthony Verruso). Bully Boy cleared the lead and scampered to a 2-3/4-length lead to a :59 half and attempted to slow proceedings to the backside.

Jumpshot (Andrew Adamczyk) then pulled off the pegs from fourth and advanced to press the leader while Warrawee Preferred had ample room to angle off the cones and catch cover. Bully Boy continued to lead by three-quarters in 1:30.1 and kept Jumpshot at bay through the turn. Morris meanwhile sprung Warrawee Preferred off cover into the stretch drive and vaulted for the lead to grab the win by a length. Bully Boy settled for second with Jumpshot finishing third and Cellular (Scott Keppler) taking fourth.

McKenzie Sowers conditions Warrawee Preferred, a 13-year-old gelding, for owner Ryan Berry. He paid $36.80 to win.

WARRAWEE PREFERRED REPLAY

The final division went to Matt Zuccarello and 2-1 favorite Skyway Professor (Swan For All) by way of disqualification in a 2:02 mile. Zuccarello carved the fractions with Skyway Professor after dashing to a :28.4 first quarter and then slowing to a 1:00 half. Raceace (Alan Schwartz) drafted from the pocket while Southwind Larado (Robert Ciavardini) got underway uncovered on the rim.

Southwind Larado drew to Skyway Professor’s wheel at three-quarters in 1:30.3 but levelled off through the turn as the field started to spread wide and tighten. Skyway Professor persisted through the siege into the lane, though Flashy Swan (Tony Ciuffetelli) cut the corner, went inside a pylon and charged up the inside to pass the beam first by a head.

The pylon infraction resulted in his disqualification, elevating Skyway Professor into first. Raceace moved into second while Flashy Swan was disqualified to third and Call Me Thefireman (Anthony Verruso) closed from last for fourth.

SKYWAY PROFESSOR REPLAY

Dennis Laterza trains Skyway Professor, a 5-year-old gelding, for owners Latz A Luck Stable, Winners Circle Racing LLC and John Campagnuolo. He paid $6.30 to win.

NAADA action resumes next Wednesday (April 17) at Monticello Raceway for the sixth preliminary of the club’s Spring 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 NAADA