The final leg of the North American Amateur Drivers Association's Summer Trotting Series was contested at Monticello Raceway on Thursday and when the judges declared the event official, Jennifer Lappe walked away with all the marbles when she guided Multitaskr Hanover home first over Crystal Sphere and driver Alan Schwartz in a 2:00 clocking.
For the talented lady tail-setter who has had 170 previous starts this year against her counterparts as well as against professional drivers, it marked her 16th seasonal driving victory to go along with her 26 seconds and 33 third place finishes. However, Lappe won another race later on the Monticello Raceway card, also.
When the wings of the mobile gate sprung Lappe grabbed the racetrack from the three-hole and then allowed Keenan and driver John Calabrese to take command. Once Keenan settled on the lead Lappe then moved Multitaskr Hanover back to the front as the quarter mile timer flashed up in :28.1.
Comfortable on the front-end Lappe got her charge by the halfway point in :58.2 but when they straightened up the backside Crystal Sphere and Alan Schwartz rallied alongside the leader and even gained command for a short way but Ms Lappe urged her trotter and they rebuffed the challenge and went on to a 2-1/4 length triumph. Woody finished third for Tony Ciuffetelli.
“It was an aggressive race and I gave my horse an aggressive drive,” Lappe said with a smile . “I had instructions before the race but I nixed them at the gate and decided to go for the lead ...and it all worked out well.”
The winner, a five-year-old Explosive Matter gelding, owned and trained by Ms Lappe, notched his seventh seasonal victory. He returned a $5.40 win payoff.
For Lappe, it was her 40th driving victory and her 58th training win thus far this year.
The NAADA Series $6000 consolation-- if it fills-- will be contested on Wed, August 15. The $15,000 Final—expected to fill-- will be raced at Yonkers Raceway on Thursday, August 16.
(NAADA)