The final two races in the Italy vs NAADA Friendship Competition were contested at Monticello Raceway on Tuesday afternoon (Aug. 6).
When the shouting was over NAADA's Alan Schwartz and Chris Doherty each emerged victorious in their respective splits; Schwartz won his with Were Gonna Rock in 2:01.2 while Doherty copped his division with Machmemackie in 2:00.1. It was the first time that NAADA has swept all four races in an international competition on American soil.
Sent the 3-5 betting favourite, Schwartz decided to find a hole when the gate sprung and tucked into fifth along the pylons, a position he held until he moved first up at the half as Monica Banca showed the way with Ryans Mistress. It wasn't until they reached three-quarters that Were Gonna Rock had the leader in sight. When they headed for home Schwartz only tapped the wheel discs and shouted at his steed, and little-by-little Were Gonna Rock began gaining ground on Ryans Mistress. At the wire it took a photo to determine that Schwartz's charge was victorious by a head as Italy's Enrico Colombino garnered the show dough with Local Art.
The winner, a six-year-old Rock N Roll Heaven mare is owned by Twin Bridge Racing and trained by Frank Yanoti. She paid $3.30 for win.
Young Christopher Doherty was joyous after his victory with Machmemacki. And he should have been, after all, it was his first driving victory this year and only the third of his fledgling career.
“We got off to a good start, and with some confusion behind, me we had a four-length lead at the quarter,” Doherty said. “But we were never in any trouble through out the entire mile.”
Even when Relentless Dreamer, driven by Italy's Michele Bechis, looked Machmemackie in the eye at the three-quarters Doherty said he still had plenty of horse which proved correct when, on the final turn Doherty's charge began to draw away from his challengers and went on to a two-and-a-half length victory over Relentless Dreamer. Despite a covered two-hole trip the entire way in the deep stretch Yankee Devil in rein to Enrico Colombino, could do no better than a third place finish.
A recent purchase by Jim Doherty Jr and John Santini and trained by Doherty, Machmemacki paid $8.10.
(NAADA)