As the fourth and final series of the North American Amateur Drivers Association nears completion, the eighth leg of the 10-race Fall competition was contested at Yonkers Raceway with two short fields going to post prior to the betting card getting underway.

Alan Schwartz and Bobby Ciavardini each emerged victorious in their respective splits. Schwartz won with his old warhorse Ladys Big Stormont in 2:01.1 while Ciavardini copped his division with Baltimor AS in 2:01.4. Both races were contested over a sloppy racetrack.

Schwartz and his veteran trotter started from the pole position and they sped to the front and had two lengths on their competition at the quarter in :28.2. After tapping the brakes, Ladys Big Stormont got by the half in :59.3. Up the backside, Schwartz was comfortable and braced for challenges from the ladies, Jennifer Lappe with Celebrity Blue Chip and Monica Banca with Master Of Excuses. But once Ladys Big Stormont rounded the final turn, he put it in another gear and rambled off to a solid three-length triumph. Celebrity Blue Chip photoed-out Master Of Excuses for second money.

Schwartz owns and trains the winner, who notched his 11th seasonal triumph and raised his 2018 bankroll to over $53,000.

In his split, Ciavardini was content sit in the three-hole as Annie Stoebe took command with Uriel on the first turn and they showed the way past the quarter in :30. They were still without any challenges as they trotted by the half in 1:01.2. When the field headed for the three quarters, Ciavardini moved Baltimor AS off the pylons to challenge and the two raced side by side into the turn. When they headed for home, Baltimor AS had gained command and went on to a length victory over Uriel. Third place went to Here Comes Numbers, driven by Dr. John Kokinos.

Ciavardini put racing on the back-burner in the mid-1980s and after completing his professional working career, he rejoined the amateur ranks two years ago. From a limited amount of starts, this was his first seasonal driving victory. Tom Milici owns the trotter, who is trained by Austin Gilbert.

(NAADA)