The third leg of the NAADA spring trotting series was contested at Monticello Raceway on the pleasant Thursday afternoon and when the judges declared the race official Alan Schwartz and his sturdy charge, Ladys Big Stormont, emerged victorious.
Sent of as second choice in the seven-horse field the eight-year old Earl Of Stormont gelding turned back six rivals for an easy triumph in 2:01:2.
Claimed by Schwartz for $12,500 four years ago, the victory was the 38th of the trotter’s illustrious career who has massed over $310,000 in purse money.
In today's contest Schwartz sent Ladys Big Stormont to the lead after they started from the four-hole and they had command mid-way around the first turn but they were challenged by Joe Faraldo and Tough Get Going who ranged -up on the outside. It was at this point that Schwartz had to make a decision.
“My horse races best when he's on the front-end but I didn't want to get in a speed duel with Faraldo so I let him go (take command) and then retook (the lead).”
The quarter time was a relatively soft :29.3 and once on the lead but both horse and driver seemed comfortable. They trotted by the half in 1:00.3 and Ladys Big Stormont was easily in command as they passed the third stanza in 1:31.2.
“On the (final) turn I glanced back as saw the betting favourite, Permanent Joy (Bob Krivelin), in third place but when he rounded the final turn my horse was still strong and we coasted to an easy 2-1/2 length victory,” Schwartz explained.
Permanent Joy finished second while Tough Get Going held on for the show dough.
It was the 610th driving victory for Schwartz owns and trains the winner who paid $6.10 while notching his second seasonal triumph.
Now with three legs of the 10-leg series contested there has been a different winning driver in each event. At series end the top three point earning reinsmen in the preliminaries will vie for a chance to represent NAADA in an international amateur driving competition in Italy later this year.
The series fourth leg will be presented at Yonkers Raceway next Thursday.
(NAADA)