Tony Beltrami converted a pocket trip to a winner’s circle visit with even-money chalk Windsong Pioneer in the lone $18,356 division of the North American Amateur Drivers Association (NAADA) Trot at Yonkers Raceway on Thursday, June 26.

Leaving from post five, Beltrami secured the seat behind leader Los Ballykeelamigo (driven by Yogi Sheridan) to a :28.2 first quarter. Los Ballykeelamigo coasted on a comfortable margin to a :57.4 half with the next closest competitor, Big Charlie Moran (Mario D’Abruzzo) in third, another six lengths off the lead. Beltrami bided his time from the pocket until he pulled Windsong Pioneer to contest Los Ballykeelamigo for the lead marching up the backstretch the final time. Windsong Pioneer continued pressing Los Ballykeelamigo through three-quarters in 1:27 and all through the last turn until the long-time leader gave way in the stretch drive, settling for second by 2-1/2 lengths in a 1:58.1 mile. Fanatic (Andrew Adamczyk) rallied for third with Itsoneofthose (Joe Faraldo) taking fourth.

Paul Stafford trains Windsong Pioneer, a nine-year-old gelding by E L Titan, for owner Thomas Ceraso Jr. He paid $4 to win.

NAADA action continues at Yonkers next Thursday, July 3, with the third leg of the club’s summer trotting series. First-race post time at Yonkers is 6:45 p.m. (EDT).

(NAADA)