After being rained out last week two trotting divisions of the North American Amateur Drivers Association summer series was presented tonight at Yonkers Raceway and when judges hung the official signs Jake Stillwell and Joe Pennacchio emerged victorious in their respective $8,000 splits.
Stillwell scored 1:58.3 triumph with Dark Poole while Pennacchio reined Keystone Blade to a 1:57.1 triumph in their split. Both were non wagering events prior to the betting card getting underway
In the first event Stillwell sent Dark Poole to the lead from the two hole and they had command on the first turn and led their competition by the first quarter in :28.2. That speedy opening thwarted any early challenges and Stillwell coasted to the halfway point two lengths in front. Still comfortable by the third stanza in 1;28.2 only the margin of victory was in doubt as Dark Poole headed for paydirt. At the wire
Dark Poole was a 4-1/4-length winner over Shoot The Thrill (Scott Kepler). Noble Warrawee (Mike Polansky) finished third some 11 lengths behind the winner.
Dark Pool is owned by Barry Franklin and trained by Paul Fusco.
If the first division was an easy victory for the winner the second split was even easier
When the gate sprung Pennacchio sent Keystone Blade to the front and they had two lengths on If I Must (Paul Minore) as the timer flashed :28.4. Now 6 lengths in front as he passed the half in :58.1 Pennacchio kept the pedal to the metal and was still six lengths to the good as Keystone Blade zipped by the three quarters. The lead was opened to 12 lengths as Pennacchio's charge headed for home.
In the lane Joe Faraldo hustled Gemini Eddie home second albeit some 13 lengths behind Keystone Blade in the 1:57.1 trotted mile. Raceace (Alan Schwartz) garnered the show dough.
The winner is owned by Joe P Racing and trained by Cory Stratton.
(NAADA)