Scott Keppler thrusted forward past a shuffle of challengers to bag the $10,274 North American Amateur Drivers Association (NAADA) Trot with even-money favourite Psalmsfortysixfive at Monticello Raceway on Wednesday, July 23.
Leaving from post five, Keppler planted Pslamsfortysixfive into fourth as Woodside Genius (Scott Woogen) zipped to the lead before a :30 first quarter. Feeriedesbrouetsfr (Robert Krivelin) charged with a swift brush to challenge the leader, but lost ground on the outside and left Woodside Genius alone moving past a 1:00 half. Mark Of A Beast (Joe Faraldo) then pulled from the pocket on the backstretch, with Star Hairdresser (Andrew Adamczyk) on his back, and pushed to match strides with Woodside Genius until he veered three-wide into the last turn. Keppler and Psalmsfortysixfive seized the opening and split past traffic in the last turn to grab the lead and scoot away to a 1-1/4-length win in 2:01. Star Hairdresser took second with Mark Of A Beast finishing third and Woodside Genius fading to fourth.
Jose Godinez trains Psalmsfortysixfive, a five-year-old mare by Fitzmagic-Baltic Onthe Rocks, for owner Scott Keppler. The win was her third in 20 starts this season. She paid $4.20 to win.
NAADA action continues next Thursday, July 31 at Yonkers Raceway with the seventh leg of the club’s summer series. First-race post time at Yonkers is 6:45 p.m.
(NAADA)