The $12,000 final of the North American Amateur Drivers Association's two-track Trotting Series went to post at last night Yonkers Raceway as a non-wagering affair. When all the action had subsided, Dave Yarock guided the only mare in the race, Patsy B Happy, to a stunning five-length victory in 2:00.
Joe Faraldo and Winning Prince cut the fractions with Cory Stratton and Invocation challenging for the lead the entire mile. But Stratton wasn’t alone in his quest for the front-end. Bob Krivelin and Mr Troy also took aim at Faraldo, but Krivilen settled in the two-hole which left Stratton on the limb the entire mile.
Meanwhile, with all the early action, Yarock was content to keep Patsy B Happy in the pocket along the pylons, and though they were eight lengths off the lead at the half way point when Patsy B Happy fired up the backstretch, she circled the leaders and went on to an easy victory. Faraldo and Winning Prince held on for second money, and despite his overland trip, Stratton took home the show dough with Invocation.
Though Patsy B Happy had been on the board in every series start at both Monticello and Yonkers Raceway, her victory in the final was sweet revenge for Yarock.
“I knew there would be battle for the lead in the early going and I was right when Faraldo, Stratton and Krivelin fired out for the front-end," Yarock said. "And after Joe (Faraldo) got the lead he wouldn’t relinquish it and when they (the leaders) got to the half in :59 I liked my chances even though we had a lot of ground to make up.
“As we straightened away up the backstretch I showed Patsy daylight she trotted around everyone and we sailed home an easy winner.”
Yarock, a financial planner from Tenafly, New Jersey, scored his second seasonal driving victory. He is also a member of the Billings Series.
(NAADA)