The $15,000 final event of the 10-leg North American Amateur Drivers Association Trotting Series was raced at Yonkers Raceway on Thursday evening, May 24, and when the well-contested race was over Monica Banca walked away with all the marbles.

The talented lady reined Master Of Excuses to a 1-1/2 length triumph in a time of 1:58.1. It was the Scandinavian-native's first win in the series although her total of 36 points in the preliminaries was fourth best.

In a race that was dominated by quick early speed the eventual winner picked up cover after the half and the kept moving forward.

After the race began Wygant Prince (Paul Minore) was locked in an early sped duel with Soul Train (Joe Lee) and they were head-to-head when they passed the first stanza in a swift :27.3. No sooner had Wygant Prince cleared to the lead Dr. John Kokinos moved Here Comes Numbers out to challenge and they were one-two as the timer flashed :58.

After the half a host of trotters were on the move including Master Of Excuses who got first call at the three quarters despite being three-deep. He was closely followed by Ladys Big Stormont with Alan Schwartz at the controls while Tomy Ciuffetelli was looking for daylight with Someway Same Hall.

But when the field came off the final turn Monica Banca and Master Of Excuses had opened up a three-length lead l and as they raced for the finish Ms. Banca's charge hung tough and went on to victory. Ciuffetelli's trotter rallied to be second while Schwartz and the series point winner, Ladys Big Stormont, held on for the show dough.

“This was a heck of a series” stated NAADA President Joe Faraldo. “We had 10 very competitive legs at both Yonkers and Monticello and the series was great for the amateur movement.”

On June 7th NAADA will sponsor summer trotting series with races at both Yonkers and Monticello Raceway weekly culminating in a $15,000 finale on August 16.

(NAADA)