Joe Faraldo is a happy man. And why shouldn't he be? After all, the veteran amateur driver just won the $15,000 final of the North American Amateur Drivers Association's fourth and final series with Tough Get Going at Yonkers Raceway on Friday night (December 7).

They toured the Hilltop oval in a time of 2:00 to score a one-length victory over Monica Banca and Master Of Excuses.

When the wings of the mobile gate sprung, Banca sent Master Of Excuses to the lead from the two-hole with Faraldo's charge on the limb pushing the pace after starting from post five.

“I wanted to take the lead but Monica wouldn't have it and she said 'get behind me,' which I did and it worked out to be the winning move,” Faraldo related by phone after the race.

Banca and Master Of Excuses passed the first stanza in :28.4 and they were comfortable by the half in :59.4. The leaders then raced one-two past the three-quarters in 1:29.1 and on the final turn Faraldo moved Tough Get Going off the pylons.

“My horse felt strong at that point and when we straightened for home I knew we'd be the winner,” he said.

Master of Excuses was second-best, a head in front of third-place finisher Multitaskr Hanover in rein to Jennifer Lappe.

Tough Get Going has won his last two starts and recently has been at the top of his game.

“He likes the cold weather and he can breath better when the temperature dips," noted Faraldo.

All things considered, the veteran five-year-old Kadabra gelding has amassed almost $47,000 this season. He's owned by Faraldo and Richie Banca and trained by Banca.

Sent off as second choice, Tough Get Going paid $6 to win.

This has been a very prolific season for NAADA. Besides four 10-race series during the year, the longtime amateur organization has hosted European amateur clubs from Hungary, Spain, Italy and France. And in September, NAADA members traveled to Mallorca to race against the Spanish amateurs on their turf.

“We plan to do much of the same next year, too,” Faraldo added.

(With files from NAADA)