Adamczyk, Hechkoff Take NAADA Trots Thursday
Andrew Adamczyk and Bob Hechkoff both posted front-stepping victories in the pair of $17,703 divisions of the North American Amateur Drivers Association (NAADA) Trot at Yonkers Raceway on Thursday, Sept. 26.
Adamczyk delivered odds-on chalk Buzz to the winner’s circle with a 1:59.4 mile. Leaving from post two, Adamczyk crossed to the lead with Pilsner Frosty (driven by Paul Minore) securing the pocket to a :29.4 first quarter. Buzz moseyed to a 1:01.3 half with only mild challenges looming then as By A Hoff Hanover (Robert Krivelin) attempted to gain ground first-over moving for the backstretch. Buzz maintained a two-length lead clicking by three-quarters in 1:30.4 and strolled through the turn and down the lane to cross the line 3-1/2 lengths better than Pilsner Frosty. Call Me Thefireman (Anthony Verruso) sat a ground-saving trip for third as did the aptly named Livingontherail (Jacob Stillwell), who took fourth.
Adamczyk owns and trains Buzz, a 12-year-old gelding by Kadabra. He paid $3.40 to win.
Bob Hechkoff exerted similar authority over the second division with Dwight Hanover while capitalizing on an early break by 4-5 favourite Secret Bro (Adamczyk) to go pillar to post in 2:00.2. Hechkoff grabbed an easy lead while Secret Bro broke stride to a :30 first quarter and received full respect on the point. No foes dared press Dwight Hanover, leaving him to stroll through a 1:01.4 half and 1:31.1 three-quarters before skedaddling 3-3/4 lengths away from pocket-chaser Kashas Boy (Alan Schwartz) to collect the win. Winneress (Verruso) gave chase in third, another three lengths behind, and held off a late push from Mufasa As (Robert Krivelin), who settled for fourth.
Frank Calcagni trains and co-owns Dwight Hanover, a four-year-old gelding by Cantab Hall, with R.B.H. Ventures Inc. He paid $10.60 to win.
NAADA action shifts to Monticello Raceway next Wednesday, Oct. 2 for the fourth leg of the club’s Fall Trotting Series. First-race post time at Monticello is 12:10 p.m. (EDT).
(NAADA)