A short field of just five trotters competed in the $7,500 North American Amateur Driver Association (NAADA) trot on Wednesday, June 22 at Monticello Raceway but it probably didn't make any difference to Raceace and driver Alan Schwartz as they made every pole a winning one en route to an oh-so-easy five-length victory in 1:59.3.
"When you have the best horse in the race, the front-end is the place to be, so when the gate sprung, I went right for the lead, which we gained after a :29.2 first panel," Schwartz explained after his driving victory.
Once on top, Schwartz let his trotter cruise to the half in :59 and they were two lengths ahead of runner-up Pilgrim Caviar (Joe Lee). The lead was opened to three lengths when Raceace scouted by the three-quarters in 1:29.3 and when they rounded the final turn and headed for paydirt, Raceace was an easy 5-1/2 length winner in 1:59.3. Pilgrim Caviar was second-best and Flyhawk El Fiero (Michelle Miller) took home the show dough.
Schwartz owns and trains the winner, who paid $2.30 for win.
Another amateur race, a pace in the Catskill Amateur Drivers Club, saw driver Jake Stillwell sit a pocket trip with Festive Joe then rally the Tony Mazzeo-owned and Al Annunziata-trained four-year-old Roll With Joe gelding to a 1-1/2-length triumph in 1:58.3. Hypothetical finished second for Schwartz. Festive Joe paid $11.40 for the win.
(NAADA)