John Calabrese cleared command easily with Draco S and pulled away from the competition to post an open-length score in the $17,495 North American Amateur Drivers Association (NAADA) Trot at Yonkers Raceway on Thursday, July 3.
Leaving from post five, Calabrese took the top with Draco S to a :28.4 first quarter with Campbellini (driven by Dante Scattolini) settling in the pocket and outside leavers Muskingum (David Glasser) and 9-5 favourite Los Ballykeelamigo (Yogi Sheridan) left parked on the rim. The outer tier failed to advance while Draco S cruised to a :59.2 half and gathered speed to three-quarters in 1:28.3. With Muskingum and Losballykeelamigo levelling off to the final turn, Itsoneofthose (Joe Faraldo) launched first over to challenge Draco S late in the race, but only proved second best as Draco S crossed the beam five lengths clear in a time of 1:58.4. Star Hairdresser (Andrew Adamczyk) rallied from a ground-saving trip for third while Campbellini tired to fourth.
Cory Stratton trains Draco S, a 10-year-old gelding by Offshore Dream, for owner Howard Jacobs. He paid $9 to win.
NAADA action shifts to Monticello next Wednesday (July 9) for the fourth preliminary of the club’s summer trotting series. First-race post time at Monticello is 12:10 p.m. (EDT).
(with files from NAADA; photo of John Calabrese from a previous win)