It was amateur day during Thursday’s card at Monticello Raceway with three amateur events on the racetrack's betting card. But more precisely it turned out to be ' Alan Schwartz Day' when the talented amateur reinsman drove two winners on the nine-race card.

After he scored his 600th driving victory in the ninth leg of the current NAADA Trotting Series he then added another triumph to his resume when he won the second division of the NAADA vs Spanish Friendship Competition later on the card.

Schwartz, who doubles as the president of the of the Monticello Harness Horsemen's Association, notched his milestone victory with his trotter Ladys Big Stormont in a time of 1:59.3 and then copped the final contest in the Friendship competition with pacer Rock On The Hill in the identical time of 1:59.3.

“I feel real good today, but I'd feel lot better if we (NAADA) had won the international competition against the Spaniards,” Schwartz said. “But it seems we enjoy being accommodating when we host our international friends.”

After having won two races in the first leg of the Spain vs. NAADA Friendship Competition at Yonkers Raceway on Tuesday, the visiting Spaniards, with another triumph today, walked away with most of the marbles.

The first race in the competition today saw Spain's Francisco Ramos move his pacer, Hold The Gold, first-up and take command after the half and then continue on to a length triumph over Pure Smoke, driven by NAADA's Tony Ciuffetelli. Third place went to Youre My Hero driven by Spain's Guillermo Llull.

Senor Ramos expressed through teammate Jaime Riera, who is fluent in English, that he was proud of his driving victory. Riera related that Ramos said he will treasure his visit to the United States and always remember his driving victory here.”

Schwartz won the second and final event in the Spain v NAADA Friendship competition when he guided Rock On The Hill to a neck victory in 1:59.3 over Giddyallyougot, in rein to Spain's Francisco Ramus.

“He was lazy so I scored him down hard. And when we were in the race I had to keep after him the whole mile,” Schwartz related.

Although he has won multiple races on a single card Schwartz's milestone 600th victory today was perhaps his most cherished. And he should cherish it, after all, only one other amateur driver has reached the 600-win plateau. (Walter “ Boots” Dunn is the all time leader with over 1240 wins).

Schwartz recalled his victory with Ladys Big Stormont. "After heading to the pylons when the gate folded I moved first-up approaching the half but my trotter struggled finally getting his head in front of a game Someway Same Hall (USA's Tony Ciuffetelli) as the field neared the finish wire.

“My horse wasn't at the top of is game today but we got the job done,” Schwartz said referring to Ladys Big Stormont. “And I'm glad we made it (600 wins) because I was feeling undo pressure. It always seems to bring pressure when seeking a milestone brings. I know it shouldn't, but it does.”

(NAADA)