Schwartz, Beltrami upset in NAADA Trots

YONKERS, N.Y.— Alan Schwartz thrusted to the fore late and Tony Beltrami ascended to a 43-1 victory via disqualification in their respective divisions of the North American Amateur Drivers Association (NAADA) Trot at Yonkers Raceway on Thursday night (Feb. 27).

Schwartz delivered Raceace (Yankee Glide) to an 8-1 win in a 2:00.3 mile in the first NAADA division. Positioned third while Muscle Dan (driven by Tony Ciuffetelli) carved a clip of :28.1, :58.1 and 1:28.4, Schwartz saved his charge for a homestretch blitz and hauled down the outside of the track. He collared Muscle Dan at the beam by a neck to grab the win with All Rise (Tony Beltrami) saving ground to finish third and Hobbs (Victoria Stratton) followed suit in fourth.

RACEACE REPLAY

Alan Schwartz owns and trains Raceace, a 9-year-old gelding by Yankee Glide. He paid $18.40 to win.

Early interference by 7-5 favorite Itsoneofthose (Andrew Adamczyk) dropped the first-place finisher from the throne and put Tony Beltrami and Drop The Mic (Chapter Seven) in the winner’s circle off a 2:01.4 effort.

Louis (Jacob Stillwell) charged quickest off the wings from post 8 and crossed to the lead as Itsoneofthose pushed forward to the outside of Never Mind N (Bob Hechkoff). Itsoneofthose veered inward through the first turn and made Never Mind N go offstride heading for the backside. Adamczyk sent Itsoneofthose forward to take the lead from Louis before a :30 first quarter and he coasted through the remainder, posting a 1:01.3 half and three-quarters in 1:31.3. He crossed the line in front by 1-3/4 lengths, but was placed seventh for the interference in the first turn. Pocket-sitter Drop The Mic elevated to the win over Hunters Gal (Yogi Sheridan) in second with 77-1 show Limerance (Dawn Anderson) taking third and Defcon Seelster (Bruce Baker) finishing fourth.

DROP THE MIC REPLAY

Paul Fusco trains Drop The Mic, a 7-year-old gelding by Chapter Seven, for owner Robert Arzano. He paid $89 to win.

The NAADA Winter Series heads to the $20,000 final next Thursday (March 6) at Yonkers Raceway. First-race post time is 7 p.m. (EST).

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

by Ray Cotolo, for the NAADA