Joe Pennacchio and Keystone Blade defeated seven rivals in the $7,000 North American Amateur Drivers Association Trot on Wednesday (Oct. 13) at Monticello Raceway, posting a 2:02.3 triumph.

Makin Trouble K (Joe Lee) and Raceace (Alan Schwartz) gunned for the lead, and were joined by Keystone Blade, who found room along the pylons in third after leaving from the eight-hole. Lee and Makin Trouble K showed the way past the quarter in a soft :30.1 with Schwartz on their back with Raceace. Despite finding a hole, Pennacchio was first to move after the slow first quarter.

"With horses coming from the back, I didn't want to get locked in, so I moved Keystone Blade to the outside but didn't rush him for the lead," Penncchio explained.

When they passed the half in 1:01.2, Pennacchio's trotter sat alongside Makin Trouble K up the backside. The two leaders passed three-quarters heads apart in 1:32 with Schwartz looking for room for Raceace. But as leaders turned for home, Schwartz found room along the inside.

"I moved him (Raceace) down along the pylons as we headed for home, but he just hung and really didn't try hard to pass the competition," Schwartz explained.

Of the three horses headed for home side by side, Keystone Blade was the first one home. Schwartz got Raceace home second under strong urging, while Makin Trouble K faded slightly and finished third.

Keystone Blade, whom Cory Stratton trains for Joe P Racing, paid $10.80.

(NAADA)