In what turned out to be an adjustment in the first leg of the North American Amateur Drivers' Association Trotting Series at Yonkers Raceway on Thursday (Sept. 19), the first horse under the wire, Ladys Big Stormont, was disqualified and placed second, which opened the door for Soul Train and driver Joe Lee to walk away with the lion's share of the $8,000 purse.

“Because of tight racing on the final turn, I was forced by Soul Train to go over the pylons on the final turn. When I did, the judges deemed it was a Eurorail violation and my horse should not have gotten any advantage,“ Alan Schwartz, driver of Ladys Big Stormont, related after the race.

“And I didn't, because the judges disqualified my horse and placed Joe's (Soul Train) first, even though I beat him by a head at the wire.”

When the wings of the mobile starting gate folded, Schwartz gunned his veteran trotter to the lead and they had command in a :28.4 first quarter with Uriel and Tony Ciuffetelli Jr. pressing hard on the outside.

But after the :59.3 half, Uriel began to fade. When he did, Joe Lee moved Soul Train off the pylons and rallied up alongside Ladys Big Stormont. With the leaders tightly side by side around the final turn, the infraction occurred which caused Schwartz's trotter to be disqualified, allowing Soul Train to be placed first. Wygant Prince and driver Paul Minore finished third, just one length behind the top two.

Next Thursday (Sept. 26), the NAADA Trotting Series moves on to Monticello Raceway.

(NAADA)