The last two amateur races of the season at Monticello Raceway were contested on Wednesday (November 29), and when the judges hung the official signs, Tony Ciuffetelli emerged victorious in the $6,000 North American Amateur Drivers Association (NAADA) consolation while Jennifer Lappe copped the $6,500 Catskill Club final.

Ciuffetelli reined trotter Better To Be Lucky home first in a 2:01.2 clocking, whereas Lappe scored a 1:59.2 triumph with pacer Lightning Strike.

There was only a five-horse field for the NAADA consolation and, taking advantage of the short field, Tony Ciuffetelli sent his charge to the lead. Once there, they made every pole a winning one en route to a head victory over Connie Keeper and driver Bob Krivelin.

“Since my horse is good on the lead, and with the pole position and the short field, I thought the front end was the place to be,” Ciuffetelli said after the race.

They charged to the front and Better To Be Lucky trotted off to an early lead. But they couldn’t shake Connie Keeper, who followed along doggedly in the two-hole as the others faded lengths behind.

When the leaders headed for home, Krivelin moved Connie Keeper out to challenge, and they raced neck and neck to the finish. At the wire, Better To Be Lucky prevailed by a head. Third place went to Grand Vision, in rein to Bob Ciavardini.

“He had breaking issues earlier this year, but he’s OK now,” Ciuffetelli said, referring to Better To Be Lucky. “I was getting after him pretty good as we neared the wire, but he stayed at his work and hung tough today.”

Ciuffetelli also owns and trains the winner, who returned an $8.20 mutuel.

The Catskill Amateur Club’s finale was a tribute to the ladies, as three were finalists and the gals finished first and third in an action-packed, driving finish.

When the wings of the mobile starting gate folded, Monica Banca sent Fox Valley Leo to the lead, followed on the outside by Lightning Strike and driver Jennifer Lappe. But as they approached the first stanza in a swift :27.2, Lappe found room on the inside and tucked in nicely behind the leader.

Before the field passed the halfway point in :57.2, Gerry Fielding was out and going with Troon, the betting favourite. They rallied alongside Fox Valley Leo as the three-quarter time flashed 1:27.4. When they straightened for paydirt, Fox Valley Leo and Troon battled side by side, and then in mid-stretch they were joined in the passing lane by Lucky Strike. At the wire, Lappe’s pacer, Lucky Strike, prevailed by a length. Troon was second and Fox Valley Leo was third.

“We got lucky finding room along the pylons or we’d have been hung out,” a joyous Lappe related in the paddock as she hung up the lines. “Lightning Strike is a pleasure to drive and I guess we just clicked.”

It marked Lucky Strike’s fourth victory in his last five starts for Lappe. Owned and trained by Bill Mintz, he paid $4.00 to win.

On Friday (December 1), the $15,000 NAADA Final will be contested at Yonkers Raceway as a non-wagering affair prior to the first race on the betting card.

(NAADA/CADC)