In what started out as a furious contest for position ended in a romp for Soul Train and driver Joe Lee as the duo scored their second consecutive triumph in the NAADA Trotting Series this week at Monticello Raceway on Thursday afternoon.
Lee, the New York Yankee's assistant locker room manager, bided his time and watched the early speed duel between Joe Faraldo, with Tough Get Going, and Alan Schwartz, up behind Ladys Big Stormont, and then rallied and picked up all the pieces to turn the contest into a laugher, winning by eight lengths in a time of 1:59.2.
After Schwartz had gained command when the starter said “go”, Faraldo came alongside with a rush and Schwartz grabbed leather and let him go. But as they approached the first stanza Schwartz wanted to retake which he did but not after he was forced to trot at :29.3 second quarter before he had command.
Meanwhile, Lee had settled along the pylons in the early going and after the battle on the front-end he moved his trotter to the outside as the field neared the halfway point.
“I floated out of there and watched the leaders battle royally and when the dust settled I sent my trotter toward the front-end and “ole Soul” knew just what to do as he trotted to the lead and opened up daylight up the backside,” Lee said.
At that point Soul Train had three lengths on his competition at the three quarters and from there only the margin of victory was in doubt as Soul Train coasted home an easy winner. Connie Keeper (Tony Verruso) nosed-out Ladys Big Stormont for second money.
The eight-year-old Trainforthefuture gelding is co-owned by Lee and Blindswitch Racing, Good Friends Stable and Santo Farino. He paid $3.20 for win.
(NAADA)