Alan Schwartz sweeps NAADA Trots

YONKERS, N.Y.— Harness racing amateur driver Alan Schwartz carved his path to the winner’s circle in both $10,000 divisions of the North American Amateur Drivers Association (NAADA) Trots at Yonkers Raceway on Thursday night (Aug. 3).

In the first division, Schwartz persevered through a first-over grind to win with Reel Em In (Crazed) in 2:00.2. Schwartz shuttled Reel Em In out of post 7 to sit third while Drazzmatazz (driven by Yogi Sheridan) grabbed the top to a :28.4 first quarter and soon slowed proceedings to a :59.2 half.

With the tempo decreasing, Reel Em In angled off the pegs to the half and advanced along the rim to take a narrow lead by three-quarters in 1:29.1, but the outside path allowed Drazzmatazz to save ground and retake the lead spinning for home. Reel Em In reengaged upon straightening to overpower Drazzmatazz to the finish, winning by three lengths at the pole. Judge Ken (Jacob Stillwell) kicked from off the speed for third and Swan Factor (Scott Keppler) took fourth.

Robert Dill trains Reel Em In, a 6-year-old gelding, for owner Anthony Mazzeo. The race was the first of three non-betting events on the card, with the second division going as the second event.

And in that second event, Schwartz this time guided his pupil Raceace (Yankee Glide) from a pocket ride straight into paydirt when collaring Jive Ninety Five (Yogi Sheridan) at the end of a 2:00.2 mile. Jive Ninety Five faced no pressure while cutting a clip of :30.1, 1:01 and 1:30.2, though Raceace readied the whole time for the sprint awaiting in the homestretch. Schwartz pulled and Raceace downed Jive Ninety Five to snag a head victory while Uncle Kip (Tony Ciuffetelli) levelled off to finish third and Wishful Mar (Paul Minore) gave chase in fourth.

Alan Schwartz owns and trains Raceace, a 7-year-old gelding.

The NAADA Summer Series is now set to crown its champion. Next Thursday (Aug. 10), Yonkers Raceway will host the final of the NAADA Summer Series, while Monticello Raceway is slated to host a consolation on Wednesday (Aug. 9).

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting Results

by Ray Cotolo, for NAADA